The modern world we live in is indeed filled with conveniences. With just one click, one button or a few simple operations, we can complete many things that our ancestors spent a lot of time and effort to create.
Think about it, if we didn't have very small everyday items, such as a mop, would we have to crawl onto the floor to clean it by hand? Or if we don't have a fan, will we have to sit and fan ourselves for a long time until we fall asleep? Or an electric light, a rice cooker, a water pump?
Those are just household items. I can only imagine that life is a bit difficult, especially for someone like me, who grew up under the protection of my mother.
But when I was a child, it was the years of the 80s and 90s. What about children today?
So much innovation and innovation, so many great discoveries, so many leaps forward; And with it comes too little appreciation of tradition, too little patience, too little contemplation. Children today, I think, are fortunate to enjoy material things beyond what is necessary, but lack mental and spiritual experiences.
I think I'm not the only one wondering about that. The proof is that more and more centers, workshops, and individuals organize activities for children to return to nature, build and hone their hands-on skills, including craft activities.
Opening a long article is scary. I'm off topic here.
What are manual activities? Crafts are ways in which you create a product without using machines, such as crocheting, weaving, wrapping paper, sewing, pottery, etc. So how is a child who crafts in the classroom or at home different from an artist?
I noticed that the craft activities in class are mostly paper cutting, paper pasting, drawing, coloring, card making..., which seem to have a lot to do with paper. The problem is, paper is not durable, and people tend to throw it away after a while. This, invisibly, takes away an important part of the handmade process - creating long-lasting use. Handmade products often have very high prices, because they are made by hand, and soul is put into them. A machine-made mass product cannot be as soulful as a hand-made product. Because it is not infused with energy from its creator. That is also the reason why preschool teachers in general and Waldorf teachers in particular are always encouraged to make their own toys for children.
Returning to the issue of "durable use", a created item must always have its function, and the longer it lasts, the more it is worth the effort spent in the process of completing it. improve it. Giving children a purpose for what they are asked to do will help them gain perspective and give meaning to their activities. And to do that, we must choose materials so that the finished product can be used for a long time without deterioration; Don't let the finished products look sloppy – they may look clumsy but don't let them look sloppy. Because the effort and love the child puts in deserves to receive something with lasting value rather than a one-time use item.
That's how we teach children to appreciate work, appreciate the things they have, and be grateful to those who create them. And from there, have responsibility and a better attitude in life.
Written by: Trang Tran (Team PlayatHome)
