Guest Author - Susan Kramer

When you have preschoolers in the house you may benefit by using your existing rooms for multiple purposes. This teaches the kids to be flexible and creative in working out solutions in life; an important part of their education.

This guest article is by Susan Kramer, BellaOnline Learning Disabilities editor.

This philosophy reminds me of the multi-purpose room in the elementary school where I grew up in the Middle Atlantic States, probably one of my big inspirations for my living creatively techniques.

Depending on the need during the day the whole character of the multi-purpose room would change. Of course, I wouldn't forget that at lunch time it became the cafeteria with fold out tables and benches attached being put down by a few of the older kids.

Before and after lunchtime we used the floor space for indoor ball games, and this was very easy as the room had high ceilings with windows along the top of the walls. We even could practice basketball shots. This was the room where I learned to square dance and practiced for school plays.

Those memories have stuck in my mind to this day. Now, at home, we have a porch that serves as the multi-purpose area in our small house. In the center of the room we have a 3 foot diameter folding wooden table that can easily be set up for eating for the 2 of us; the kids are grown. In between it holds my portable sewing machine. And when we have overnight visitors the table folds up and leans against the wall opening up floor space for foam futons.

This leads me to comment on our collection of foam futons in single width and 4 inches thick. I have 6 of them and they serve as a mini couch when several are stacked together and placed against the wall. Or, we use them to accommodate up to 6 people on the floor with sleeping bags. Of course, when just 2 people spend the night we give them each 3 mattresses for a nice comfy sleep.

So, now we've talked about the folding wooden table and the mattresses serving multi-purpose duty. Let's move to the kitchen so I can tell you about my stainless steel pots that double as serving dishes. I've had these pots / serving bowls since I was 16 years old, a present from my mother who was very practical. I wouldn't be without them, as they look just as good on the stove as on a wooden trivet on the table. And they are easy to keep shiny with cleanser on my cleaning pad.

I find it very reassuring to walk into the kitchen and know my shining stainless steel is going to cook our food and not break as serving dishes made of china could. I highly recommend getting a set for yourself.

Summarizing, look around your house and see what basic items you have that can serve several purposes. Let your kids, from preschoolers on up, help come up with ideas to double up your space as needed. Education begins in the nest, and what better way than to learn how to take what resources are available, and use them creatively. An education for life!