Crafty fun – dump truck

We went to an art and craft shop in 1 Utama last Thursday. He’s been playing with his dump truck creation ever since he brought it home.

He “made” the dump truck in 60 mins there. Looks impressive eh? Bear in mind that he’s 4.5 years old, with mild gross and fine motor disability.

Actually, he painted the blue, yellow, purple and red parts, drew the vertical lines, and circles on the wheels. The staff there assembles the pieces together for him cos hot glue is needed, and some parts are sharp.

I think that’s already so great considering his disability. His fine motor skills are slowly getting better. He only painted out of the line a wee bit (see white windows and headlights).

I was also very happy that he was able to take instructions from a total stranger and be without me for 60 mins! I was seated at the waiting area which is cordoned off (totally separated from him) and slightly obscured from where he sat.

I was peeping very often to see how he was coping, what he was doing etc. He seemed very focused on his painting cos he had a deep furrow above his eyebrows! He wasn’t scared. He didn’t look for me until the very end.

The very kind lady said that after she showed him how to paint horizontally from left to right (cos he was painting in circles initially), he could and did. She showed him how to press the hair dryer (to dry the paint quickly) on the first occasion and he could on subsequent occasions. She also noted that he lacks finger strength but could surprisingly paint fairly well within the lines. She complimented him by saying that he’s a gentle and polite boy. She understood that a “successful” outcome will build his confidence.

The two female staff there were so supportive of him. They let him try to do things by himself first, and then stepped in to show him only when he couldn’t. They helped him get up and down from the chair (adult sized chair), helped him wash his hands etc. They welcomed him even though he had a disability.

Of course, if it were crowded and busy, they wouldn’t be able to be as supportive, and that’s perfectly understandable.

I’m so thankful that this shop exists. Thankful that they understand and allow kids to be kids, to make a bit of a mess while painting, to give them the freedom to choose their colour etc. They are “allowed” to paint outside the line, to have crooked lines, imperfect circles etc. They are free to choose their own craft project. Thankful that (mild) special needs kids are welcomed. Of course, I’m also thankful that I do not need to spend time preparing the material and cleaning up the mess! LOL

I’m thankful that his first session turned out well. I was incredibly nervous about how it would turn out, even before we left the house for the session!

I intend to bring him back for more sessions because it’s good fine motor practice, it’s good for his confidence, and of course because he liked it. He has his eyes on a few more crafts – an ambulance, a steam roller, a car...