E-mail or courtesy link appreciated when you publish mailto:Joyful-Productions@comcast.net --------------------------------------- Title: Beyond Words, a Child's Voice

Author: Patricia Gatto

Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved.

Category: Parenting/Children's Issues/Empowerment

Word Count (including Resource Box): 875 --------------------------------------- Beyond Words, a Child's Voice Patricia Gatto ©2004 All Rights Reserved. Joyful Productions Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not unlike sound of constant rain. At first, rain is obvious as it dramatically announces its arrival, and for a brief moment, you acknowledge intrusion. But slowly, rhythmic sounds fade into background, becoming nothing more than a distant drone.

We are fortunate to have ability to block out sounds like pouring rain; otherwise, it would be impossible for us to concentrate. But what happens when rain is actually voice of a child, and you are so focused on your own thoughts that you forget to hear?

Even most dedicated parent or caregiver can fail to hear understated nuances of a child's plea. It's impossible to play detective and uncover meaning behind every word and every gesture. Sometimes a whine is simply a whine. But if your busy schedule has you constantly preoccupied, you may be unintentionally shutting your child out. And if you're not there for your child, who will be?

Emotional and spiritual wellbeing are just as important as physical health. Even at a young age, you can help teach your child a simple technique that provides you with a means to hear voice beyond words. It's a little trick I learned from my Mom, and all you need is a piece of paper and a pencil.

I grew up in a large family. With five children, my Mom was concerned that she might miss a cue, a subtle hint that would indicate when one of us was in trouble or needed to talk, so she came up with a plan when we were very young.

Mom gathered us around kitchen table and took out a piece of paper and a pencil and she proceed to explained her concept at most basic level.

Project: Glowing Goblins

This project is perfect for artistically challenged or those who prefer instant gratification. My young sons completed theirs in just 15 minutes.

Supplies

Glass Votive (any size or shape) Solid Black Halloween Stickers (bats, witches, ghosts, etc.) -OR- Stencils, Stamps, and Black Acrylic Paint Orange Tissue Paper, Torn Into Pieces 2 TBSP White Glue 2 TBSP Water Craft Brush

Directions

1. Adhere stickers onto outside of votive –OR- If using stencils or stamps, paint heavily enough that no light shines through shapes. Let dry completely.

2. Mix glue and water. Paint glue onto outside of glass, on top of stickers.

3. While glue is wet, layer pieces of tissue paper and glue until entire votive is covered and tissue is saturated.