Getting the new school year off to a good start can help children’s attitude and overall academic performance. By providing stimulating, learning activities, parents can help kids transition back into a learning mode more easily. Part of getting our kids ready for the new school year is to prepare their brains.  After the unstructured months of summer, it helps to exercise your kids’ imaginations and creativity to prepare them for the new school session.

            Here are some ideas:  Try breaking out the art supplies and create an art center somewhere in your home where the kids can freely draw, paint, sketch and color.  Using arts and crafts supplies, recycled materials, and other household items, ask the kids to: make a sock puppet, create a collage by gluing dried food such as cereal, pretzels, crackers, etc. on to poster board, write a story and sketch illustrations go with it, or draw a picture using their non-dominant hand.    

            By being able to explore their creativity, children can exercise skills which can strengthen their academic abilities and readiness for the new school year.

            Programs like KidzArt make art and learning fun for kids but that’s not all.  KidzArt also creates opportunities for kids to communicate, brainstorm and express themselves which can be a great way to get the school year started.  Studies show that there is a critical link to reading, writing and math excellence in children who are exposed to art. According to the US College Entrance Examination Board, children who participate in arts activities score nearly 100 points higher on SAT’s than students who don’t.                                                                                                                                                                     KidzArt teaches kids, preschoolers to teens, easy-to-learn drawing techniques in a nurturing, non-competitive environment.  The use of age appropriate, safe, professional-level art supplies, creative activities and focusing exercises can enhance learning and build skills needed to succeed in the classroom.  The classes, which include music and focusing exercises to promote a relaxing atmosphere, are also used as a calming technique to prepare students for standardized tests.

Art gives children to ability to actively create which can improve cognitive development, strengthen communication and expressive skills and boost reasoning and organization skills.  Art is just one of the many creative activities that can help children keep their brains warmed up for back-to-school excellence. 

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Check out this informative article that support one the tenets of KidzArt’s philosophy: the importance of building kids’ confidence!

How to help your children stick with it (no matter what).

By GreatSchools Staff 

Stomping out of the swimming pool because learning to swim is too scary. Throwing the crayon down because writing is too hard. These are the times that try parents’ souls — those tearful and tempestuous moments when kids simply give up.If these episodes are hard for parents to witness, consider how our children feel. They are trying something new and difficult and — in their minds — failing. In truth, this is an ideal teachable moment, when we can help our children understand that, no matter how new or difficult, challenges are achieved through patience, practice, and effort.“Perseverance, or work ethic, is one of the most highly correlated traits of success,” says child educational consultant Michele Borba, the author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions. Persistence is something children need to succeed in school and life. A 2007 paper from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found the ability to persevere may be as essential as talent or IQ to succeed. The good news? Persistence is a trait that can be taught and learned. It’s just a matter of knowing how to help your children — and not giving up on them when they give up on themselves.

Talk about it

Young kids benefit from regularly hearing about persistence. So teach them different ways to talk about problem-solving: “I won’t quit,” “I can do it,” and “It’s always hardest the first time, but it will get easier.” Borba also suggests coming up with a household “stick with it” mantra, explaining that families that maintain an overall attitude of “We can do it” tend to face obstacles and mistakes with grace and ingenuity. Some favorites: “Mistakes don’t get us down” and “The family that doesn’t quit!” Finally, tell stories either from your own life or read to your child about succeeding despite the obstacles. The all-time “I can do it” early-reader classic? The Little Engine That Could.

Resist rescuing

When we see our kids having a hard time because they aren’t succeeding, it’s tempting to jump in to make it all better. But remember: We learn by trial and error. By giving kids a chance to fail, we also give them the pleasure of succeeding on their own. The next time your children have a problem and ask you to solve it, don’t. Instead, sit down and ask them to think of a solution. This gives your kids time to cool down and teaches valuable problem-solving skills. And while it’s tempting, when playing games — be it Candy Land or red light, green light — refrain from letting children win just because they’ll be unhappy if they don’t. Playing fair and square teaches the important life lesson that, in games as in life, sometimes you’re going to fail before you win.  

Nurture a hobby

Children who have a passion learn the pleasure of practicing and improving at something they love, says Borba. Support your children’s interests. Help them check out books at the library on subjects they love. Not only are they learning firsthand the value of mastering something through effort, they may also be preparing for their adult vocation.

Watch out for the “I can’t do it” triggers

Do your kids seem to blow up at a certain time of day? Often, says Borba, children this age get frustrated and give up at a task simply because they are tired, hungry, or just need some time to unwind. So make sure your children are well fed, get enough sleep, and have a chance to play before facing the task at hand. By explaining that they’re strengthening their minds and bodies, young kids will learn to fortify themselves before turning to a challenge.Remember: Young kids often blow up when they can’t get something right. Avoid recrimination (“I told you this would be hard”) or reacting with your own, sometimes justifiable, anger (“Don’t yell at me just because you can’t do the puzzle!”). If you lose your cool, walk away for a moment. Also, suggest your children take a break — running around the house to “get the angries out” — then return after calming down.

Remind them of their successes

“I’ll never be able to do it!” Chances are you’ve heard your children utter this mournful cry of defeat. At times like these, make kids the hero of a story. Remind them of the triumphal times they had trouble doing well at something but kept their eyes on the goal and succeeded. “Remember when you were scared of starting preschool, but went anyway and ended up loving it and making good friends?” This kind of pep talk is often just what kids need to try, try again. And when your children hang in there, point it out. “You kept writing those numbers even though it was hard. You should be really proud.”

Source: www.greatschools.org

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KidzArt wants to say “thanks” to all of the wonderful teachers that we know.  First, we want to recognize the talent and dedication of all the KidzArt teachers who work tirelessly with KidzArt students of all ages around the world.  They each have a special way of helping children express their creativity and boosting their confidence through encouragement, fun and interactive exercises while teaching them to draw.

We also want to thanks all the elementary and middle school teachers throughout the world, who recognize the value of art enrichment for children and welcome KidzArt into their classrooms every day.  We honor the meaningful contribution that you make to the lives of students every single day.

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Everyone looks for that special gift for Mom or Grandma on Mother’s Day.  Now you’ve found it!  Put your child’s artwork on affordable, fun gifts that Mom will treasure for years to come.

Visit http://www.KidzArtProducts.com to see the selection of customizable products including aprons, mugs, apparel and much more. 

Order by April 19th to guarantee delivery for Mother’s Day!

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Foster Kids’ Creative Development in Celebration of Youth Art Month

March is Youth Art Month, an annual observance that emphasizes the value of art education for all children.  In celebration of Youth Art Month, it’s a great time to nurture children’s creativity through art and other activities that inspire innovation, resourcefulness and originality.

As children experiment and test new waters, they learn and grow and develop their creativity which is beneficial in all areas of their lives.  Check out the follow tips to nurture the creative side in your children:

1. Reduce the Stress Factor - Provide a quiet area where your child can go to decompress after the school day.  Have art materials and simple household items available in a workspace area away from the TV or noisy siblings where your child can relax by doing an easy art activity.

2. “Blank Book” Drawing- Each day put an interesting object next to a notebook with empty pages for your child to draw in. Make it a surprise!  For example, ask him or her to draw: shells, a small new toy, a miniature household item, an interesting flower, a feather or fossil.  Provide at least two different mediums for experimentation such as colored pencils and oil pastels.

3.  Decrease Media Overload- Turn off the computer, video games and television and engage kids in active play.  Physical play such as sports and outdoor play or mental stimulation like board or card games promote kids’ natural creativity and is a great alternative to the passive time spent with their electronics.

4.  Ask Open-Ended Questions- Pose questions to your children that start with who, what, where, when and how to encourage their creativity and critical thinking skills. 

5.  Engage the “Right Brain”- Allow children to exercise their right brain after a day of left-brain school academics.  Right brain activity is stimulated by new events or activities, drawing with different colors, shapes and sizes, playing dress-up, dancing or listening to music. 

6.  Use All the Senses- Improve your kids’ use of their imaginations by encouraging them to use all five senses. Ask children to close their eyes and listen to the sounds around them.  See which they can easily identify and which are more challenging. Encourage kids to identify new smells (both pleasant and otherwise) when you encounter them.  

7.  Allow Mistakes.  Children often fear ridicule from their peers or parents if they make a “mistake”.  Unfortunately this same fear inhibits higher order thinking: creative problem solving.  Allowing your child to experiment with art also allows them to take a risk and try something new.  This is the creative process and the skill will serve them well in all academic areas.

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March is Youth Art Month in the United States, a time to promote the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs.  We believe that art should be an important and valued part of the lives of young people.  Art and creativity promote problem solving, encourage children to try new things, use their imaginations and overcome their inhibitions or obstacles in order to grow and learn. 

During the month of March, be an advocate for art!  Find a way to show your support, whether it’s in your home, school or the greater community.

Check out how some of our KidzArt students have explored their creative abilities! 

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Valentine’s Day Sculpey™ Pen  

This is an inexpensive and fun project for any age. You can make hearts for Valentine’s day or any other shapes!

What you will need:§  Sculpey oven bake clay about 1 oz—Various colors (One “square” per child is plenty)§  White round stick pen (try Walmart’s brand, it won’t melt)§  Needle nose pliers  What to do: 1.    Remove the ink cartridge from the pen with pliers and set it aside. 2.    Take a “ball” (about1”) of Sculpey clay and work it until it’s soft.  Pat or roll it into a thin layer the length of the pen and about 2” wide.3.    Cover the pen with the Sculpey. 4.    Gently roll the pen back and forth on your work surface. Don’t roll too much, just until the clay is flat. Over-rolling may cause the clay to pull away from the pen. 5.    Add small bits of color to the surface.  Add a shape at the top of the pen6.    Bake at 225 degrees for about 15 minutes. 7.    Replace the ink cartridge when cool. To push it in completely, press the ink tip into a layer of something soft and stand the pen up. Press the clay cover pen case down onto the ink cartridge.  

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Use any wooden or paper mache box available at craft stores, paint it with bright colors of craft paint or decorate it with jewels and findings. Write the word “Gratitude” on a scrap of black paper with silver sharpies and glue to the top. Inside put a felt or velvet piece to cover the bottom of the box and a mirror. Children can write little notes of things they are grateful for and put them in the box throughout the year. They could then pass out paper to family members to get a collection of everyone’s gratitude notes!

Submitted by Amy Klein, KidzArt Colorado- serving the Greater Denver area.

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Put a new spin on holiday gifting by recruiting the kids’ creativity to help make homemade gifts.  Tighter budgets along with some creativity can be the inspiration for making one-of-a-kind presents this year.  Kids love to make crafts for the holiday season and get a great sense of accomplishment in creating items can be functional and given as gifts.

 Here are a few simple homemade gift ideas that the kids will enjoy making!

Share your home-made baked goods with family and friends with this special home-made gift bag: 

Decorate white or brown paper lunch sacks using acrylic paint in either red and green or blue and white.  Each bag can be different.  Stamp or paint stars, snowflakes, trees, icicles, etc. Sprinkle painted areas with silver glitter glue, tap off excess and let dry completely.  Fill the bag with wrapped baked goods.  Punch a hole in the top of the bag and thread an 8″ green or red ribbon through the holes.  Tie in a bow and give as a gift.

2.  Holiday Scratch Art Gifts

Purchase Scratch Art Scratch-Lite paper available on line or in your local art store.  Cut out festive shapes such as stars, circles, hearts or snowmen.  A rainbow of color appears when you  scratch out a design on the shape (use a wood stick, chopstick or skewer to scratch)!  Use as gift tags or punch with a hole punch and thread varying lengths of decorative ribbon or yarn to make a necklace, bookmark, tree ornament or a mobile. 

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