art4kids's blog

Have you ever noticed how when you buy a new to you car you all of a sudden see the same car everywhere? I've been noticing how much information there is for children's art since I've been thinking about it more than usual.

One thing I've noticed is there is a lot of studies, articles, discussions, community outcries and such about the lack of funded art education. Truly amazing.

Where does it end? Will we need to beg for funding for teaching the alphabet? How basic can it get? We, as humans, need to be creative. It keeps us sane and aware of the world on many important levels. Learning how to creatively express oneself is enriching, freeing and affords us the ability to look and feel beyond all the fears of the unknown.

I simply cannot divorce creative expression and the human experience. That we are forcing our children to see art as this "thing" other than who each and everyone of us is seems dangerous. Art is a part of being human.

Just trying to make it make sense. I'll need a lot of creativity for that!

Hey, want to learn a little art history and play a mystery game online? Check out A. Pintura, Art Detective.

http://www.eduweb.com/pintura/

And if you liked that mystery try:

http://www.eduweb.com/insideart/index.html

Fun stuff!

In my local paper, The Press Democrat, there was a great front page story about children and art. Check it out and the group the article describes, too.

" Lisa Fredenthal-Lee is on a mission to turn five aspiring teens into real, show-worthy artists.

For two summer months, several days each week, when they could be sleeping in, heading to the beach or catching up on summer movies, five students gather at studio space at Riley Street art supply store in Santa Rosa. "

Read the full story

The story is called, " Art from scratch "

The program site is:

http://www.yea-art.com/

Just got a call from my three year old grandson. He knows how to speed dial my number on his mom's cell phone. He said, "Ya-Ya, I want to play music for you".

He puts the phone down and proceeds to drum, sing and hum a beautiful improvised song. He's been a drummer since he knew his hands were his so it is not a surprise he drums. Just amazed at the incredible sense and display of rhythm.

Can't help but wonder how to encourage without pushing. How to follow his lead for knowing what pace to go towards lessons, etc. Yep, doing a lot of wodering when it comes to being a grandma.