From Primary to Neutral in the Early Childhood Environment




Recently, I had a need for magnetic letters.  I have chunky ones that the children play with but I wanted something that was thinner and lighter.  Off I went to my education store and the results were not that impressive.  

                          
A lot of toys are presented in primary and secondary colors because the eye is drawn to them.  It is good marketing.  The problem comes with living with these colors and playing with them for an extended length of time.  Children who are restless or who have difficulting regulating find the constant, in your face brightness, to be a difficult environment.  I, myself, find neutral, earthy and moderate tones to be so much easier on the eye and the overall mood.  So, you will see me adjusting what I don't like to what I do like, a lot over the next while.

This brings me to this weekend's project.  I did buy the magnetic letters and felt a bit grumpy at the lack of selection.  But, after seeing how easy it was to change the blocks, (check out Toy Block Makeover), I knew this project was going to be a breeze. 

 I sanded down the color on each letter.  It was a very light sanding but it gave the surface the roughness needed to accept the paint.  I used Beauti-Tone Satin Enamel in Lemon Grass, Creme de la creme, River Mist and Rust-oleum ultra cover in Vintage Blush. I gave them two coats of the spray and let them dry for a few hours between each coat.  

          

 I love the surface texture and love, love, love, the colors.  

After I finished with the letters, I went back and spray painted the box with the cream paint.  (I left the inside of the box a natural wood color and touched up the top rim with the cream as well.  

I am very happy with the results and happy with how the letters look in my neutral environment.  I would encourage you to make your environment a happy place to be with a little paint and a little effort.

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