When your child comes home messy with….
Green paint in the hair! Pink paint on their jeans! Sand in their shoes! Spaghetti Bolognaise on their best shirt! White socks that look brown! Sleeves a little bit damp!
YOUR CHILD probably…worked with a friend, solved a problem, created a masterpiece, negotiated a difference, learned a new skill, had a great time developing new language skills.
YOUR CHILD probably didn’t… feel lonely, become bored, do repetitive tasks or worksheets, sit down to work that is discouraging.
YOU probably… paid good money for those clothes, will have trouble getting the pink paint out, are concerned that we aren’t paying enough attention to your child.
HOWEVER I am … aware of your child’s needs and interests, I will have spent time planning a challenging activity for the children, encouraged the children to try new things, put aprons on the children, was worried that you might be concerned.
Try to remember your favourite activity when you were little. Was it outdoor play with water, mud, dressing up clothes, with friends?
Young children really learn when they are actively involved in play, not when someone is talking to them.
There is a difference between “messy” and “lack of care.”
We made sure your child was fed, warm, took a nap, washed hands after toileting and before eating, and also planned messy fun things to do because that’s How young children learn!
Send your child in clothes that can get dirty! Send extra old clothes for times when your child gets wet or really messy. If you need to take your child out, straight from us, bring the clothes for `best occasions’ and allow plenty of time to change. Stay calm…
Remember in a few years, as teenagers your child will use your shampoo, your favourite bath toiletries and most of your towels to be clean.
But young children need time to be just themselves!
So please excuse the mess, we are making memories