There’s no doubt about it, the last two years have been a rollercoaster ride of change, fear and uncertainty – but the one thing that most of us have relied on is the security of home and the everyday joy found in simple pleasures.
School teacher and craft expert, Shannon Wong-Nizic says this is particularly true when it comes to children who benefit enormously from home-based back to basics activities such as crafting, needlework and baking.
“Creative pursuits help children feel grounded and calm. It requires them to busy their hands, put down their screens, still their minds and be present in the moment. These are such important self-care skills for little ones to learn growing up in today’s fast-paced, news-driven world,” she said.
Shannon said Easter was the perfect time for parents to connect with their children through craft.
“Holiday periods like Easter provide us with a beautiful opportunity to create calming family traditions, particularly after so many of us have had a turbulent school term dealing with issues surrounding Covid,” she said.
Here are Shannon’s tips to create a calming craft bubble’ in your home this Easter:
– PJ all day: put the brakes on the grind of the daily school routine by declaring Easter Friday PJ Day. No more rushing to clean teeth, tie shoes and racing out of the door. Watch the look of glee on your kids’ faces when you tell them they get to wear their PJs all day – and don’t forget to join in for added fun! You’ll be guaranteed to enjoy the change of pace too.
– Crazy breakfast: give the kids the chance to choose or make their own breakfast – however crazy it is! Decide the day before so you can get everything they need. So what if it’s Nutella toast with sprinkles or purple pancakes – the crazier the better! It’s one day a year and you’re making memories to last a lifetime.
– Get crafty: after a nice slow start to the morning, get the craft kit out. If you’re mess-averse, there’s no need to panic. You can enjoy some wonderful craft projects with scissors, coloured pens and pencils. All-in-one paint markers such as Pintor are a great option as there’s no need for messy paint pots and brushes and you can use them on any type of material – perfect for decorating eggs, hats or Easter baskets.
– Screens off: having time off the screen is crucial to enjoying time together. For many families, the lockdown led to more screen time while they struggled with the juggle of work and domestic duties. With older children, come to an agreement over how and when the screens will be turned off and stick to it. By taking time off, children can learn the value of being able to concentrate on a task, a conversation and enjoy the moment without distraction from the outside world. Time off screens and connecting with you through crafting together is a great way to build the warm and fuzzy feelings that contribute to children’s sense of safety and security.
To help create a calming craft bubble in your home this Easter, Shannon has put together some inspirational Easter craft activities – a cute Easter Bilby hat, perfect for the Easter Hat Parade and an eggscellent spoonville activity to decorate wooden spoons to look like Easter Eggs and plant them around your neighbourhood.
To download Shannon’s Easter craft templates and how-tos, visit pilotpen.com.au
Share your designs to Pilot’s Facebook page for a chance to win a Pintor Paint Marker Prize Pack.
“Spoonville is a wonderful way to connect with friends and neighbours through sharing the joy of craft. What better time than Easter to take the time to have some fun!” Shannon said.
