Sunday, February 6, 2005

String

 

                              

On Saturday we all drove into DC to pick up some books from a friend. He was meeting us in the Georgetown area. We made the mistake of following MapQuest directions instead of following our own instincts on how to get there. To make a very long story short I will say this.......MapQuest lead us astray. What should have been a 3 hour trip turned into a long day.

The kids and I had not originally planned on going, we decided to go at the last moment, so I was not as prepared as I usually am with books, writing materials, kids CD's, gameboys ect. To add to the dismay, I was having to spend all of my time helping Dad with these insane directions that got us hopelessly lost, so was really not able to interact with the kids much at all.

They did very well until we started home. I was looking around for something to occupy their time and noticed my straw-type shoulder bag. It has a sort of twisted twine for handles. I had a nail clipper so I untwisted the twine and cut several pieces, about 6 inches long and handed them to the kids. Neither one of them asked, "What is this for?"  They just took it and went to work.

Retta started first making shapes, "Look Mama, a circle, look a square, look a spiral"......then she started making letters. Then she made planets.

Musa sat very quietly and finally said, "Look, I made a noose..now I just need someone to hang.(he can be very dark sometimes) So they both made their string into people and a puppet show unfolded. These few small pieces of string entertained them for the last hour of the trip.

I want to believe this happened because they are unschooled.  Because they have the freedom to let their imaginations soar.

                                         

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

There is nothing like an imagination left to soar. I am so glad that you are witnessing this unfold before your very eyes. Keep up the good work.
All the best to your family.