A clean house is something I’ve always prided myself on. Years ago when I taught preschool, I would take a 2-hour lunch break once a week just to come home and clean my house. Yes, seriously.
Fast forward 7 and a half years and 4 kids later. While I still love it when my house is clean, I’ve learned a few things about messes. Sometimes it’s okay to say “yes” to the mess! My oldest son (currently 7 years old) is a builder. If you have a builder in your home, you know that his medium for play equals thousands of small manipulatives all over your house. LEGOS. Blocks. Lincoln Logs. Hexbug tracks. GeoTrax. Gears. If you can build with it, we’ve got it.
Not too long ago, he approached me with a messy idea. “Mom, can I build a bridge out of DUPLO blocks along the kitchen sink?” What?!?- this was the actual thought that went through my head. But I took the time to watch him play…and I was simply amazed.
Becky Spence is a homeschooling mama to four little blessings. She is passionate about teaching, specifically literacy. She is the author of This Reading Mama, where she shares reading and writing activities as well as free literacy curricula and printables. You can connect with This Reading Mama on Facebook;, Twitter;, Pinterest;, and Google +.
I often think about the blocks, the beans, the cars, and such that are littering our floor as well. After a moment or two of stress, I think about all of the creativity and imaginative play that happens with them all and I smile. I just love this idea of building a bridge above the sink…my son would enjoy this!
I have no problem with a productive mess. I’m always intrigued to see what they’ll come up with – case in point being your son’s creativity.
I could live without the trail of mess that seems to follow each child around, though. 🙂
He is so creative. Look at that train set. It is amazing! Creative mess is good for the soul!
Our toddler would love to do this too! Thanks for the idea! He looks so happy!
Isn’t it fun to see how their minds work. I love his bridge!
He did a great job! It looks fantastic!
Love it! What an amazing bridge and what an amazing way to teach mom that everything will be okay…even if it’s not totally tidy!
what a clever way to play with Lego’s, love how creativity is used!
That’s how a Bailey Bridge must first have been conceived: wonder what this wonderful creation will lead this young man to produce in future! Fantastic post and wonderful to see. It’s the sort of thing home-schoolers like all of you might well be have the privilege of being witnesses: think of all those who don’t take the plunge and do this! What they are missing!
From an oldie, who found out about home-schooling almost too late, but just in time!
Isobel: http://www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com
Love this…little engineers at work! Great idea!
Jennifer @ Sparkle and Splatter
As a Mom who is seeking to return home, starting a daycare, I respect Moms who are currently working at home with creative ideas. Stopping by from SITS.
Blessings~
Alethea
I remember back in the day I spent to much precious time “worrying about everything being spic and span.
Great article. Love the lego fun at the sink too!
My motto is: “my house is clean enough to be healthy and clean enough to be happy!”
Good for you to realize these things and inspire us! We used bridge building in gifted Ed, so it was a good to allow that activity!
I get frustrated all too often at how messy my house can get. Sit down for five minutes and it’s time to sweep again, or the living room floor is covered in 20 toys! However, I know they are happy, healthy, and It’s clean most of the time
I love this photo and love that he had the idea going around his head – a great little engineer 🙂
Love this! I’ll show this to my Little Engineer…just as soon as my kitchen sink is clean. Perhaps I need to worry *more* about my mess… 🙂