When your inspiration is Three

It feels a bit bizarre writing one of my first posts this year mid January, but let me tell you, it’s been wild. 

We have just started our new school year, after a five-week long school holiday. That means, my three-year-old has been home with me for five full weeks. I had every intention of crafting hard all holiday, doing all kinds of sewing whilst my toddler independently plays. 

Wishful thinking.

We were going to make all the Christmas decor ourselves for starters. All of my friends were going to get beautiful Christmas crafts (emphasis on the word were). Christmas came and went and I didn’t get to even half of what I planned to make! My husband thinks I'm ridiculous but I think this year, Christmas crafting starts in OCTOBER!

It was a wonderful holiday, but the toddler definitely dictates the holiday activities. It got me thinking - I used to be so proactive about toddler development, but now that he is three, I need to get more creative. When a three year old isn't interested, they are NOT interested. And nothing you do or say will make them want to do something they don't want to do.

I am now aiming my crafting at things he is interested in. He is very big into farm vehicles and pretend play (as long as it involves a tractor of sorts). The first thing I could make for him here, is a farm mat. Basically a large mat with different green and brown textures so that he can use his tractors and harvester on the mat to play pretend. 

This was a fun activity, using my leftover felt from my lack-of Christmas crafting and some velvet I’ve held on to for way too long. 

Playing on this mat with him, helps stimulate imaginative play and it's helping him learn a second language, but what I love the most, is the fact that we are spending quality time together, learning through play and he sees me taking an interest in what interests him.