A voucher book

Alex picked "Make a voucher book" from the art jar a couple of times and asked me what it was. By the time I had finished explaining he had already wandered off saying that it was too boring. I really like the idea of him making voucher books for his friends and family as they are simple and much appreciated presents that he can make himself (and practice handwriting, but don't tell him that). To show him what it was, I made him one this afternoon.

He really liked it and immediately redeemed his "snack" one. He asked if I could make him another snack voucher afterwards because he was still hungry.

The voucher book has a nickname here: "the thing that mummies like", after one of my attempts to convince him it was a good idea to make one for his mum. He never remembers the word "voucher" but he does remember that his mum would like one!

Art jar

I stole the idea for the art jar on Chasing Cheerios, and montessorised it a bit with the tongs. It has been such a hit with Alex! I am convinced that at least half of the success of the art station has been down to the art jar. When I ask him what he wants to do after school, his answer is invariably: "I want to do the ideas box" (he has a bit of trouble remembering the name, so we might just rebaptise it!)

Our "art jar" is not only about art. It also disguises some writing activities since it is a perpetual challenge to convince Alex to practice handwriting. Some of the writing activities were found in The Write Start by Jennifer Hallissy, which is an amazing book with tons of ideas to encourage writing:

- writing your favourite menu

- making a voucher book for someone

- writing clues for a treasure hunt

- writing a card to someone

- making a doorknob sign

I can't remember most of them now but do check this book if you know a reluctant writer in need of help.

Posting notes

Avec presque deux mois d'absence, on peut dire que je me laisse aller! La motivation s'en était allée mais elle revient de plus belle en meme temps que les beaux jours.

Pour inciter Alex a écrire (des lettres, des dessins, des gribouillages, n'importe quoi) je lui ai montré comment écrire un mot, le mettre dans une envellope et le poster. On s'est écrit des mots secrets tour a tour et le moins qu'on puisse dire c'est qu'il a aimé ce jeu, il ne voulait plus s'arreter! Il écrivait des lettres au hasard, les postait et me demandait ensuite de les lui lire a voix haute. Cest toujours drole quand c'est imprononcable ou que ca ne veut rien dire!

To encourage Alex to practise writing, I showed him how to write a simple note, put it in an enveloppe and post it in a felt letterbox. We took turns writing secret messages to each other, and he loved it so much he didn't want to stop! He wrote random letters, posted the notes and asked me to read them aloud when I "opened my mail". It is always funny when you can't even pronounce a word or it is a very silly and nonsense word!