You got to love 3 year olds, they are full of energy, creativity, fun and play. There is so much to see, hear and try out. Imagine looking at the world through their eyes.
I was reminded yesterday during a drawing activity with our 3 year old of this very fact. As adults we have well and truly forgotten the importance of being a 3 year old, of this developmental stage involving initiative, will and trust.
This is the stage where the importance of family becomes very evident; mum, dad and other siblings are a 3 year old's world. It the physical security, love and belonging and emotional attachment all rolled into one. It is like the culmination of the first 2 years of all the love, nurturing and stimulation carried out by parents.
With the green pen in hand on the clean 'Crayola Color & Erase Mat' the 3 year was poised ready to draw a pizza. But he stopped and decided instead to draw his mum.

There followed a chat on how to make a mouth happy and in flash the 3 year old drew his dad with a happy mouth.

But, he did not just draw happy faces from then on, he initiated other faces like cranky for himself and upset for his little brother. This little 3 year old is in control of his own creativity! When did this change come about?


Once upon a time in my kindergarten teaching years I saw children drawing all the faces the one way. Am I right in thinking that children are now getting smarter earlier? Or maybe the young parents today are promoting independent thinking and creativity. Either way this is very exciting.
Cheers and Blessings

