Every once in a while it's time to gather up all the pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, glue sticks and what-nots from all corners of the house. I scoop them up, drop them in jars, set them where little hands can reach, and voila! It's like they have magnetic pull on small hands. It's a force of nature. Love this.
It got me thinking about this idea -- strategically placing "things" around "places." I've been doing this for so long, I don't remember where or when or why or how it started for me. I remember doing it when I worked at a University Lab School with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers as "curriculum."
And I remember coming across a Feng Shui principle that says we should keep the things we want to get around to doing in our environment (insert photo of dusty guitar case leaning on armoire here. And stacks of fabric and sewing books. Wait. I might not totally get Feng Shui -- isn't there also something about "clutter" in there, too? But, this is not my point.)
And I've always done it with my children. With all sorts of things. Books, games, art supplies, and other items of potential interest. A friend recently pointed out that this has been given a name: "strewing."
It makes me wonder how else I could apply this idea to my life, to my children's, that would support other important experiences. Support in a meaningful way, that isn't contrived or manipulated. Or, how perhaps, I already do, but haven't thought about it.
I'd love to hear your thoughts about it, too. Leave a comment and share!
