A Beautiful Table
In our home, over the years, I have tried to keep a special table set up just for the kids to interact with. The last 18 months or so, I’ve let it slide, so I am bringing it back. I am doing this specifically for our youngest, who is 3 turning 4. This is a very special time of wonder. I did this for our older two, and so now, I am doing it for him.
My COGS training inspired me to create a prayer table in our home, that would allow the kids to interact with God on their level. A child under 6 or 7 can not read the bible on their own, they have to have it read to them. But they can interact with the word of God through things that remind them of stories that they are learning, and center their mind on God in a way that is helpful for them. (Hint - this is why I am big on worship playing in our home. The kids can be with God, without my needing to facilitate it.) I have been scoffed at by some, for this seemingly silly table, but again, I don’t care….I just keep pluggin’ along. So here is our table, currently.
Many pieces of art - conveying beauty from around the world. Some purchased, some made by myself or the kids. It is good to create beautiful things.
I leave a timer on the table so the kids, can just sit and think and be silent for a minute. You would be amazed at how much a child loves to sit and watch the sand fall through a timer. This helps my very active, youngest boy, sit still for three minutes without moving a muscle, all on his own. In this I hope to teach them that silence is a good thing. To listen, and not speak is a valuable skill.
I let the kids make small flower arrangements as a symbol of their work. Doing your best, as a gift unto the Lord is a wonderful life long lesson to have. Even the smallest things are precious to the Lord.
I leave lots of natural, nature items on the table. About once a week, this jar of shells is opened and spilled out on the carpet, just to look at. I love to see them find their favorite one, over and over again.
This is a “vintage” needlepoint of an old church I picked up at Good Will for $2.29. I love it, and so do they. If you look closely behind this piece, you will see a few canvases that are “primed out” and ready for some new art. I am just waiting for the inspiration. I pick them up super cheap at Good Will. There is also a picture of a Peruvian boy and the cross. All of them, just adding to the sensory story I am telling.
Lots of books….. (I have to find creative ways to organize my husbands theological library)
and hand made art by the children are proudly displayed…
and baskets to hold, all the little things I find on the floor throughout the day. It helps me stay sane. It is a special treat, to look through it at the end of the week and say “Oh, there that is, I’ve been looking for that!” and off they go for another time of play with some little bobble.
From time to time, I will leave beautiful picture books that I find at the library, sometimes, the picture Bible, some sand tracing cards with new and interesting words. My parents in law have a wooden carved sign that says Jesus. Hudson loves to run his fingers over the letters and trace that precious name. So I need to find one. If you have an extra one lying around - could ya send it to me?
Our youngest spends the most time here. It is his space, and he doesn’t even know it. I made it just for him, and I pray that he finds a special piece of Jesus here as he wonders about all the beautiful things that have been made for him to enjoy and all the wonderful things that we have created to give.
My hope is to keep it interactive and changing all throughout the year, with new things to look at, smell, see, and interact with, all pointing to the reality of the Risen King.
So go make your own table and send me a picture. Don’t worry about those that think you bizarre. You have a special purpose in mind.
Peace to those who are thoughtfully parenting today~
I love it! Love the prayer station idea, and especially the hourglass timer. My active 6yo will really dig this..
Comment by Pat — September 3, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
gosh you are such a good parent. i never think of these things.
Comment by Mommyzabs — September 3, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Oh, I love this. and i know I don’t say it enough, because you are going to be here so soon, but I do wish you and I LIVED nearer. We could paint and worship and photograph and homeschool, and you could teach me these wonderful little things about how to better incorperate Jesus into my little one’s life.
can’t wait to see you.
are you sure three days will be enough!? =)
Comment by lora — September 3, 2008 @ 7:25 pm
Granddaddy and Grandmama will be very happy for Hudson to have the Jesus sign. Yes, we’ve noticed that lately he has looked at it and traced the letters. He also may be trying to figure our how it was made as he is Mr. Curious.
Comment by Grandmomma and Granddaddy — September 3, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
Pat - get a few of those timers:-) They frequently walk off, and I find them all over the place. They are a favorite thing around here.
Zabs - Thank you for the compliment. However, for as many days that I hit it out of the parenting park, I end up short, and praying that God will give me strength to try again. Just like everyone else. We all put our paints ummm dresses on the same way:-) Don’t worry, I would of never thought of this ether, if I hadn’t been given the idea by another, who had walked a wee bit further down this road then I had at the time. So now, I leave it here, for those coming along behind to uncover for themselves. The trick will be to execute the idea and not just think about it. That is my motto “FOLLOW THROUGH AMBER” That is part of why I write, I think I may even write a book about all of this stuff.
Lora - 3 days isn’t long enough for sure. Next time we can both meet half way, and take a week, with the kids and the men, and the camera’s and the art supplies, and the guitars. It will be a crazy good time. See you soon!
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — September 3, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
THANK YOU THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — September 3, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
[…] Homeschool Diva ยป A Beautiful Table "In our home, over the years, I have tried to keep a special table set up just for the kids to interact with." - Think of an interactive station, a prayer table, for kids. (tags: prayer interactive kids) […]
Pingback by In the Coracle » » links for 2008-09-03 — September 3, 2008 @ 11:34 pm
Amber,
Thank you so much for this idea!! I told Sam about it and he was so excited he wouldn’t let me do anything else until we set up the “worship table” for him and his sister. He wanted to print out the words to the doxology and put his Bibles there with a candle. We also put an Ansel Adams pic of a mountain to remind him of a worship song he knows as well as some natural objects to play with. He and his sister have visited it several times already. I will never tire of hearing there sweet, high voices singing “praise God from whom all blessing flow!” It is a treasure and we look forward to refreshing it every so often. Thank for sharing the idea!
Comment by Amy Wolthuis — September 10, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
Oh I love it! The doxology how great.
I have had a candle on ours at times as well. I have removed it for now, because my three year old is obsessed with lighting it and then blowing it out. I don’t get a thing done with it on the table, so I bring it out for special lessons.
With it I remind them that Jesus is the light of the world. When we blow it out we look at the smoke and are reminded that Jesus left us his Holy Spirit the fills the room and earth with his presence.
Please send me a pic and swap ideas with me. I love learning from others experimenting with the same things.
Kisses and hugs to Brian and the kids~
a
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — September 10, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
[…] Yesterday we did a group lesson on the Good Shepherd. I have mentioned that the children are learning the 23rd Psalm among others this term. In my orderly, teacher like mind, I thought it was a big BUST! And yet today I watched something very interesting happened. I laid their little colored pictures of a shepherd on our table yesterday. You know the one I told you about. […]
Pingback by Homeschool Diva » A Child’s Response…. — September 26, 2008 @ 6:51 pm