The outdoors is such a wonderful classroom for children. Children love playing outside, and there are so many great opportunities for learning! When you take the learning outdoors, children can learn through exploration. These explorations build valuable skills such as observation, experimentation, and sorting, while allowing for both individual experiences and group sharing. Try doing a creative arts project outside with your child! The creative arts provide children with a way to organize and express their ideas and feelings. Music, movement, drama and visual arts help children learn … [Read more...]
Arts & Crafts – understanding the difference
Arts & Crafts are often grouped together as a fun, learning experience for children. However, they do NOT mean the same thing. To understand the difference, it is helpful to think of art as open-ended with no clear outcome and the focus is on the process. In contrast, crafts have a goal in mind and are typically teacher- driven. Both arts and crafts offer different learning opportunities. Arts Art provides a creative outlet for children. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to do it. Children can use materials that they choose and want to use. "The goal is the … [Read more...]
Child’s Self Portrait
Dear Dr. Day Care, My child just turned three years old and is drawing a picture of himself with his head bigger than his body and his legs and arms are coming out of his head! He didn’t draw any details like fingers or toes. Should I be alarmed at his portrait of himself? Signed, First Time Mom Dear First Time Mom, Actually, it sounds to me that your son is right on target! Most children at his age are drawing the same type of images of themselves. Did you know that children go through stages of drawing just like any other stages of development? … [Read more...]
