KidzArt Official Blog

Three-dimensional art is both fun and educational for kids of all ages- even preschoolers! It offers the opportunity to teach kids about dimension, perspective and depth perception.

Creating a diorama (using a shoebox) is often the first lesson in three-dimensional art but kids can get creative with other inexpensive materials found at home and simple instructions. Try making three-dimensional paper mobiles using paper and ribbon that are folded, scored, crumpled or twisted. Or a large sheet of foil can be manipulated into three-dimensional shapes or animals. Decorate them with paint or markers.

Here are other materials to consider for your three-dimensional creations: buttons, boxes, cans, egg cartons, paper cups, tape, twist-ties, paperclips, rocks or leftover hardware.

This student from KidzArt in Korea glued and painted pieces of Foamcore to create a 3D bathtub!

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Have you heard of Lights On Afterschool? It’s a nationwide celebration of individual events designed to put the spotlight on the need for and value of quality afterschool programs. The 2011 Lights On Afterschool observance is Thursday, October 20th when communities around the US will be celebrating the afterschool programs that keep our kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. 
 

Did you know that:

• More than 15 million school-age children (26 percent) are on their own after school? Among them are more than 1 million are in grades K through 5. (Afterschool Alliance, 2009)

• More than 27 million parents of school-age children are employed, including 23 million who work full time? (U.S. Department of Labor, 2010)

• Only 8.4 million K-12 children (15 percent) participate in afterschool programs. An additional 18.5 million would participate if a quality program were available in their community? (Afterschool Alliance, 2009)

• The hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex? (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2002)

Studies show that children in afterschool programs do better in school, stay in school longer and have greater expectations for the future. Quality afterschool programs like KidzArt/Art Innovators are successful because they provide children “added value” academic, social and emotional learning opportunities beyond the formal school day. 
 
 
Visit the AfterSchool Alliance web site to find out more about Lights On Afterschool events in your area or call your local KidzArt to join in their celebration!

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In his bestselling book, A Whole New Mind, author and right brain thinking advocate Daniel Pink suggests that artists, inventors and individuals with creative thinking skills possess a mindset that will thrive in our changing world.He analyzes “a new age” where creative thinking skills have become vital to professional success.
Incorporating learning techniques that foster this creativity and develop the right side of the brain are an important part of a child’s educational development, especially in the pre-school years.
To better understand, take a look at what different parts of the brain are responsible for doing. While memorization, repetition and testing are left brain functions, visualization, photographic memory capabilities and creativity happen in the right hemisphere. Everything that’s logical, analytical and rational comes from the left brain. Emotions, intuition and our “mind’s eye” are right brain functions.
Does conventional education do enough to develop the right brain? Fostering new ideas, thinking “out of the box” and continuing to develop children’s resourcefulness, imagination and originality are critical elements of developing a balanced brain.
Here are a few tips to enhance learning and engage a child’s right and left brain:
·        Play games that are simple, straightforward and focused. Avoid over-stimulation by using chaotic, confusing images or animations. Less is more: with fewer distractions, more learning can take place.
·        Learning games for kids should not be competitive. Competition can block right brain function and stimulation.
·        To enhance learning, incorporate soothing music such as classical or sounds of nature.
KidzArt’s international program is designed to enhance right brain functions. We create a nurturing, non-competitive environment where children take part in activities that enhance learning. Our students are exposed to a variety of artistic styles, cultural interpretations, and mediums incorporated with elements of brainstorming and critical thinking.
What ways do you inspire and develop your children or students to become innovative thinkers?   

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During some of the many summer car trips, ask your young artist to sketch what they see and watch what happens! Provide them with a pencil, paper and a firm surface such as a clipboard to give the paper a sturdy backing.

This drawing was done by a 12 year old—who placed herself at the wheel:

 dashboard.jpg

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