AuthorJam: Julie Vivas

Picture from: The Nativity

Julie Vivas, renowned Australian illustrator, has a long list of books that use lively watercolor art work.   The Nativity, Viva's renowned Christmas book, is my favorite by far. The captivating illustrations bring the amazing Christmas story to life while the Bible verse text educates children on the true meaning of Christmas.  Like many of Viva's books, this book is published in both English and Spanish.

Whatever you celebrate this December, KinderJam wishes you the very best for you and your children. May the new year bring you happiness, adventure and happy memories.

ArtJam: Craft with your Kids

Art, and exposure to art materials, is very important for child development.  That is why all quality childcare centers offer some type of daily art activity and allow children access to numerous art materials for most of the day.  

While at daycare, a teacher may sit with a student and observe her free art creations or instruct the child how to preform a particular skill.  Creating time and space at home to craft with your child is one way to establish yourself as your child’s first and best teacher.

Consider approaching home art projects like a teacher would.  For instance, a teacher's training includes observing, modeling and encouraging your child.  Keeping these three teaching techniques in mind during home projects will enrich the experience for your little artist.

 Before starting a particular project,  observe what your little one can do on her own. You may want to record what you see by writing what she can do in a note book, take a video, picture or simply make a mental note when you notice she has attempted or mastered a new skill (like cutting on a line, writing her name or squeezing the glue bottle without help).

After observing,  try modeling a skill that you know she has not mastered.  Preform the skill yourself so she can copy you. For example, cutting on a line, writing letters and words or making play dough balls are all skills that a child may not learn on her own and could learn by watching someone else preform these tasks.  If you are ready to start a project with an end product in mind, like a Holiday gift, be sure to show your child a picture or a sample before starting.  This form of modeling will help to plan out the project and learn how small parts come together to make a whole, like cutting eyes and then gluing them to a snowman's face.

During any craft activity, especially open ended art, it’s important to encourage your child to think creatively, attempt new skills and ask open ended questions.  For example, ask questions like, “Tell me the story of this picture,” instead of, “What is that?" 

Early childhood educators agree that the process of art, and not the product is the most important and educationally beneficial approach to crafting with young children.  This phrase is commonly used in the early educational field and simply means that what ever your child ends up doing is not nearly as important as what she did to accomplish it.  Cutting on a line with scissors, deciding what sticker goes where, rolling play dough to represent an object are all milestone skills that are not reflected in the end product, not matter what it looks like.  

Always remember, the most important part of crafting with your child isn’t the practicing of skills or the art you will produce.  It is the time you spend together.  By spending time crafting together, you are spending time getting to know your child and creating memories.  This time of year is a great time to craft and make traditions.  Visit KinderJam’s Facebook page if your looking for art ideas to do with your child and make sure to have a fun time doing it.