In Sight – In Mind

We’ve all heard the adage “out of sight- out of mind”.  I use this theory with treats and it works pretty well. I keep all the kids candy from Easter, Valentines, Halloween, etc. in a basket (no surprise there) in a cupboard on a top shelf.  Because the treats aren’t easy to see or reach, they often forget about the candy and so do I.

I also keep baked goodies like cookies, breads, and rolls in the microwave. That way I can’t see them and am not tempted to eat them all day. I often forget they are there until I open the microwave to steam some broccoli.

Since the “out of sight-out of mind” concept works so well, I decided to test out the opposite idea–

“in sight–in mind”.

If the kids were bored or had some downtime, I wanted them to turn towards arts and crafts instead of the TV or video games. So I moved the TV out of the main room, and I put all the kids art supplies out in the open where they could see them.

I have the coloring books, learning books, and blank paper in 3 baskets right on a sofa table out in the open.

And I have all the art supplies- crayons, markers, paints, chalk, etc. in glass jars on a bookshelf right by the kitchen table as well.

I think my theory is working.  It really does seem like my kids color and craft more and watch TV less.

The “in-sight” idea could work for anything you want to encourage with your children: books, crafts, games, puzzles, music, writing, fruit, exercise, etc.

I know many of us want to keep everything neatly tucked away in a cupboard to avoid clutter and mess, but the benefit of having it out in the open might just be worth it.