Lately, we’ve been trying to reduce our screen time. We are practically TV-free. I really don’t have an interest in TV anymore, Curtiss will watch the news or sports a few times a month, and no one recommends TV for a child under three so its null for Vivian. France has banned the production of television programs aimed at the 3 and under crowd. “But my child has learned (this and that) from watching TV!” I see that quite often on some parenting forums I read. Children learn more from human interaction than from a screen. Imagine what they would learn if they were at a play group instead. As for “educational” scams like Your Baby Can Read or Baby Einstein, they do more harm then good. The flashing images, unconnected movements, and loud noises will keep your little one preoccupied while watching – they’ll sit still for a pretty long time, huh? Well in the book I’m reading, You are Your Child’s First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin Dancy, she states that the child’s natural state, when awake, is in motion. So while they’re sitting there being overexposed – sort of staring at the TV like how some adults can’t take their eyes off a bad accident, the energy builds up inside them and they’ll have much more to work off later.
ANYWAY, I was planning to make a post with more research on the bad effects of screen time, and this is not that post.
So, we’ve also been cutting back on our laptop usage, especially in front of Vivian. Children learn through imitation and I do not want her growing up and having her rather spend the weekend watching TV or on the computer rather than doing something more involved and productive. We have limited laptop time to naps and after Vivian’s bedtime. Quite honestly, I love being online because of the support and ideas I find online. I have yet to meet or see anyone here, on the military base, that shares the same parenting beliefs. Even back home, most of my family had different views on childrearing which is why I love the forums on Mothering based on natural living, gentle discipline, elimination communication, and even have sections about Montessori and Waldorf schooling/living. It is much easier for me to cut out online time during the weekend because Curtiss is here to talk to.
It is suprising how much I could get done when I spend Vivian’s nap doing housework, reading, or crafting. This weekend, I painted Vivian’s playroom. Curtiss helped a lot with taping, measuring, preparing the room, and observing Vivian while she played. I painted using watercolors mixed with medium and water. I copied the movement lazure painters use. Traditional lazure is produced by using organic materials, special brushes, and usually 2-3 colors.
Quoted from www.colouradvice.com:
“Lazure is a highly versatile painting system that enables colour to free itself from the solid, even appearance associated with normal paints. Instead Lazure seems to almost float across a wall and several shades of colour may appear on the same surface. Inwardly restful yet visually stimulating. . .”
Outside we observe the beautiful colors of nature. To replicate such a serene scene, you have to incorporate movement into your painting and make it translucent enough that light reflects through the white wall behind it.
Compare these two photos:
Nature is never stagnant, light hits at different angles, colors are not evenly concentrated.
Most interior walls are painted in monotone colors.
Each photo gives off a completely different feeling. This was one reason why I wanted lazure inspired walls.
Picture of traditional lazure:
Well I say inspired because I wanted a rainbow playroom while most lazure painters only do 2-3 colors horizontally and genuine lazure paint and brushes are hard to find and terribly expensive.
Despite the fact that I really did not know what I was doing (there is a serious lack of instructions on this technique), I think it came out almost exactly how I wanted it. If I had to redo it, I’d probably water it down and blend it more.
Here’s a picture from the doorway. The colors look a lot harsher with artificial light. I can’t wait until we’re done building our playstand and wooden toys (waiting for my workbench). This playroom is going to be so joyful.
Sending our love,
Michelle, Curtiss, and Vivian
