Memories of when my youngest granddaughter Neve's "new skill" was learning to use a pair of scissors brought a smile recently.
It's considered a good learning task for a 3 year old as it develops the hand movements necessary for handwriting. She spent many hours cutting construction paper and pictures out of newspapers and magazines for crafts, usually following her older sister's lead. Helping little hands learn dexterity is a good thing. Unfortunately she also decided one day to trim off a curl or two of her hair (fixed with some strategic feathering on the opposite side). She also tried them out on her ruffled top (Nana fixed that with the sewing machine) and then her Paka's raincoat (luckily just on the inside pocket). Understanding this was not totally unusual for a 3 year old, her Mom did explain the error of her actions and they discussed proper use of said scissors.
It's considered a good learning task for a 3 year old as it develops the hand movements necessary for handwriting. She spent many hours cutting construction paper and pictures out of newspapers and magazines for crafts, usually following her older sister's lead. Helping little hands learn dexterity is a good thing. Unfortunately she also decided one day to trim off a curl or two of her hair (fixed with some strategic feathering on the opposite side). She also tried them out on her ruffled top (Nana fixed that with the sewing machine) and then her Paka's raincoat (luckily just on the inside pocket). Understanding this was not totally unusual for a 3 year old, her Mom did explain the error of her actions and they discussed proper use of said scissors.
Flash forward to Nana's house, late September. I'm deadheading the rose bush on the arbor with a pair of scissors....(too lazy to dig out the pruners from the shed out back). Moments later, as I'm inside getting us a drink of lemonade I come back to find Neve "trimming" a Hosta (it's large profuse leaves at her level just begging for attention).
I get the camera and snap pics as she continues to cut. I'm thinking it's no big deal, the Hosta's got lots of leaves. I finally take the scissors, ask her to sit on the swing and go in to see if her sister and Mom want to join us.
Below, see how she proceeded to "reshape" my white peace lily plant. Although I must say it did grow back beautifully through the winter and is shinier and healthier than ever. An arborist in training? Thank goodness our now "4 year old" Neve seems to have outgrown this stage. Note: We still put all scissors up on the top of the refrigerator.
Later in the day she "helped" again by sweeping off all evidence of the deeds. She's a charmer.
I really do look forward to her help in the garden this spring. Imagine what she could do with dirt and a watering can....With some practice, she could even craft her own tiara !
"Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them."
The Audubon Nature Preschool
No comments:
Post a Comment