art and learning
Family Fun: Holiday Winter Activities
Frantic is an understatement when it comes to our Holiday schedules. By the time we remember what the holidays are supposed to be about…they’re over. Because we certainly don’t want to add another item on your holiday “how-am-I-going-to-get-this-all-done” list, here are a few activities that may check off a couple of items in one sitting…
Still Shopping? Being Visual, a Great Gift for Teachers
Teachers are very special people that give so much of themselves to children. They delight in seeing who children are and finding ways to share information, build skills and help them become the best of who they are.
Art and Academics: A Matched Set
Art has long been perceived as a fun activity, with little academic impact or value in an educational system focused on literacy and test scores. Because of this misconception, art programs across the country are being eliminated in staggering numbers. While the cuts may help the bottom line, our students are paying the price. Research has proven time and time again, that art is essential to academic success, and many of our children can’t learn without it.
3 Fun Activities: Winter Crafts for Kids
Want to keep your kids busy while you get ready for the holidays? Here are some fun ways to keep your kids busy on the upcoming days off.
Scissors and Snowflakes: Kids of all ages can enjoy the fun of making snowflakes with scissors and paper. The act of paper folding, careful cutting (use age appropriate scissors) and observing the ensuing patterns are great visual tactile activities. Have everyone in the family participate, and decorate walls windows or packages with snowflakes that don’t freeze, but will warm you all winter long.
Handwriting and Children: Practice Makes Perfect
Today, much to our daughter’s delight, our grandson displayed an outpouring of all the ways he’s been learning to write. Brayden attends a great preschool and has been consistently exposed to letters, numbers and opportunities to write. Being a kinesthetic, active little boy he does write but often prefers more physical, social activity. Yet, today was a special day. Brayden sat and wrote and wrote and wrote his name! With much delight and pride in what he was doing, he wrote all the letters in the correct order again and again.
“Being Visual” Featured in Parenting Magazine
I am excited to say, Being Visual was recently featured in Parenting Magazine. After previewing the book and a one on one interview, the October issue included an article “The Right Stuff: Cranking up the creativity at home now = success later.”
Education Conversation: Optimist Club
I recently attended a meeting of the Menomonee Falls Optimist Club. This is a great group, as one would expect when the organization is about being optimistic and helping others and improve their lives. It’s like being at Disney World, where they hire happy people, because their vision is “to make people happy”.
