Having trouble fitting art into your family routine? A consistent space to create may help you get in the rhythm!
They say when you are trying to start a new exercise habit, the first thing you need to do is get into the habit of setting out your workout clothing in the same place every night.
This same concept can be applied to morning work.
Setting out materials the night before in a consistent space has been a game changer for our little family.
Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks when making space for creativity in your home:
- Make the space where you hold creative time one where you can easily set up materials ahead of time.
Your child’s bedroom may be a great place to hold art sessions, but is it one where you can realistically set out supplies ahead of time?
Pick a space where you can easily set out materials the night before. Less to do in the morning equals one less obstacle in implementing creative work time in your home.
2. Make the space where you hold creative time one that can be easily cleaned.
I recommend starting your creative habit in the kitchen. The floors located there are often the easiest to clean in the home. Plus, you are close to a sink and a garbage can.
Once you have gotten into the rhythm of creative time in your home and your kiddos are proficient in both getting started on a task and cleaning up after themselves, THEN you can branch out to another area of the house.
3. Make the space where you hold creative time a place where YOU have something to do.
The goal of creative time in the morning is to start everyone’s day with calm and connection. For your kiddos, that looks like a fun, creative task that they can do while having a conversation with you.
For you, that looks like a few extra minutes of calm that you can use to get breakfast on the table, review your homeschool lessons for the day, or fold a load of laundry.
Pick a space where you have the opportunity to be productive (if you so choose-nothing wrong with taking a moment for you!)
4. Try out the “Busy Bin” strategy for preparing supplies in a consistent (yet mobile) way!
A great way to have consistency with your activities is by presenting the materials for them in the same way.
Every. Single. Time.
A strategy that I use and have had great success with is what I like to call the “Busy Bin.”
Basically, it’s just a plastic tub that I stash supplies in. I set a guide sheet for the activity beside the bin and my child is responsible for taking out the materials.
By having your children take the supplies out THEMSELVES, they are better able to put them away in an organized way.
An additional benefit of this technique? If you have a week’s worth of plastic tubs, you can prepare a week’s worth of materials ahead of time. Pretty amazing, huh?
5. Be easy on yourself.
It takes time to establish any routine. That is double (triple?) true when kids are in the picture. Just do your best!
To recap, when picking a space in your home to do Creative Morning Work . . .
- pick an area of your home where you can set out materials ahead of time
- pick an area of your home that’s easy to clean (I recommend the kitchen)
- pick an area of the home where you can get something done while your kiddos are at work
- put materials in plastic bins for the sake of consistency and mobility
- give yourself grace-new routines take time!
Wanting to know more about morning work and how you can incorporate it into your schedule? Check out this blog post on picking a time for creative work.
Needing ideas for what to DO during this Creative Time? Try out these Element of Shape morning work activities.
