Sensory and Process Based Play for the Tween Scene

 

I’m crafty, and I will sit through a tutorial in order to learn to assemble something. But in the last year, I’ve come to realize the magic and ease of process based play. Process based play focuses on the activity, not the finished project, and I love that. We’re not an assembly line. For children in story time programs, and tweens in my outreach programs, we’re not trying to create the perfect product. We’re trying to establish a safe, welcoming place where kids can interact, make friends, keep busy while doing something productive.

Going from ‘pre-prescribed craft’ mode to ‘let the kids have fun and be creative mode’ took a bit of transition for me. Since then, I’ve learned that there is nothing cooler than introducing ‘the youth’ to a new medium, and letting them run wild.

I’m planning to post later about sensory preschool crafts: what works, what doesn’t, what made me want to cry in the corner.

But for this post, let’s focus on the tweens. What marks a successful program? Is it attendance? The number of compliments made by kids (who are there) and parents (who are often not there?) How long the kids stay in the room? Falling under budget? I’ve struggled with this, and right now, my feeling is: If I (and my colleagues) can provide a safe space where kids can interact and explore their talents, it is a successful day.

Sensory/process based play for toddlers is fun: foam, feathers, glitter, paint—let’s put on smocks and go nuts! Process based play for tweens takes a bit of finesse. They want to create something cool. They want to do it their own way. The most (at first frustrating) and freeing lesson I’ve learned this year is to go with the flow and respond to their suggestions.

Many of the projects we start don’t end up the way we imagine. But if you can embrace that and run with it, you’ll see some really cool stuff.

I’ve started hosting an Art Club day, where kids can come in and work with a couple different mediums at a time. I usually set out things like yarn, felt, scissors, paint, paper, pencils/colored pencils, stencils, duct tape, pipe cleaners, etc——honestly, I’m blessed with an amazing craft cabinet so we play it by ear.

So far, what I’ve noticed is this: The kids like to come to programs that promise an end product, and then use the materials to create something else. But if I leave a bunch of supplies on the table and tell them to go for it, they clam up.

My goal is to foster an environment where they have some vague direction, but a freedom to explore. The idea that not everyone has to leave with the same cookie-cutter project is so freeing…and slightly intimidating. Anyone have success with striking a balance?