100 Acts of Kindness.
Toddler Approved has a series on it, with many ideas for kindness and how to instill it in our children.
While we’re trying to do our acts of kindness, teaching what kindness is to a three year old seems tough at times. By acting kind to each other, and leading my example, is the only way I can figure out how to teach this concept.
To contribute to Kristina’s series, we are sharing a very special gift we made for his Grandpa, in memory of the boys’ Grandma.
While this is a more ‘elaborate’ project than a quick kindness gesture. May I just suggest creating something from the heart for someone you love as an act of kindness.
I first was inspired to do this project by this piece of art that Paint Cut Paste made to welcome a new baby. I switched it up a bit as a collaborative art piece with my sister-in-laws. We each had our oldest child [they are the ones that knew Grandma] paint a special piece of art of their liking to be included in one master piece of art.
I can only show you what Henry and I did on our end for the project, because the others did theirs at their place.
Henry and I thought it would be neat to paint over a heart doily to make a neat print.
We thought the heart would be a nice touch.
Not so much.
It didn’t turn out the way we had hoped, so Henry kept painting away.
He added glue and glitter to his piece.
There was a bit that looked like a start of a heart, so I added to it to complete the heart and this became the centerpiece of our collaborative artwork.
With each of the kids’ artwork…
… it was now my turn to take control of the project.
Grandma was a quilter, so we decided on a simple 9-block pattern.
I cut up the artwork [so hard to cut up kids art by the way!] into squares and glued them together on a larger 12×12 piece of scrapbook paper.
Each of the adults in our families wrote a few sentences about her; what we remember of her, what we miss about her, and so on.
This became the border of the ‘quilt’.
This was a work in progress for quite some time.
It encouraged me to talk with Henry about his Grandma and why we were giving this to Grandpa.
While Henry doesn’t quite understand all the details of what this project means. He knew it was something special. And it was something special just for Grandpa.
Kindness is only a bonus reason for this project.
But its definitely a major one.
Check out all the 100 Acts of Kindness series this month on Toddler Approved!
Henry is 3 years. George is 1 year.
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I'm a baker's wife and a stay at home mom. Hands on : as we grow is all about the activities that I do at home with the kids [Henry, 4, and George, 1 1/2]. We're full of energy and excitement and we sneak in learning opportunities wherever we can. But most importantly, we like to have fun with all of it. [Read
12 comments… read them below or add one
What a sweet and thoughtful project. Love it!
It's beautiful Jamie – a new family heirloom, just like a quilt.
That is so sweet! What a wonderful way of incorporating the entire family in such a sentamental gift.
Wonderful idea. Love that everyone can be involved and such a thoughtful gift
absolutely beautiful. A wonderful project, gift, and keepsake.
What a special memory and a keepsake. I am sure grandpa was touched.
What a beautiful idea and gesture this is!
It's very beautiful and such a lovely gesture! Thank you so much for sharing this!
hello,
You can check it out here if you'd like…
Just thought I'd let you know that I mentioned you in my post today because you inspired me to do a project when I saw this post. thanks so much
http://www.mamamiasheart2heart.com/2012/02/acts-of-kindness.html
~MiaB
thank you. For helping me at school and at home.
There are different activities for my blog. You can visit my blog.
http://birdunyazeynep.blogspot.com/
thank you for the mention! i LOVE how this turned out! at first glance, i thought it was a weaving of the children’s art work, and that you might be pointing to my watercolor weaving baby blessing post (here: http://paintcutpaste.com/woven-watercolor-blessing/) i love these acts of kindness! awesome!
Thanks. Weaving would’ve been neat! Never thought of doing that!!