Kids Explore Interests through Art
Posted on 01/28/10 by KarinAbrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project has challenged children to create art around the open-ended theme: “Imagine.”
Kids really enjoy expressing their thoughts, ideas, wishes, hobbies and interests through the visual arts. Whether they are inspired by a favorite character, book, television program, nature, friends and family, mystical places and creatures or their pet, children benefit by depicting images that reflect what’s important to them. The art (left) was created by Dareion, age 12 of Baltimore, Maryland. Ask your children open-ended questions, such as, “Tell me about your art?” “What’s happening in that picture?” “Why did you choose that color?” “How would you caption your art?”
Imagination is a sensory experience, as evidenced by the art (right) produced by Kayla, age 12 of Arvada, Colorado, who writes, “I really wanted to feel the silky feathers of a baby duck, and so I drew some.”
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Make Creativity a Part of Your Children’s Lives
Posted on 01/14/10 by Karin
Abrakadoodle is devoted to helping children tap their imaginations in our art classes, camps and parties. There are so many ways in which you can help your children connect with creativity now and throughout the year.
Set up an art activity area in your house and stock it with lots of safe, fun supplies, such as paper, crayons, markers, paints, brushes, sponges, stamps, scissors (age-appropriate), non-toxic glue, recycled paper towel tubes, and other household objects that can be used in creative play. Encourage your children to head out into the
great outdoors to appreciate the sky, plants, grasses, trees, animals, insects and more! Have them collect leaf samples or observe little critters that make their homes in nature. Turn off the TV and turn on some music. Talk about your children’s dreams, hopes, aspirations and fantasies. Promote playful movement in terms of dance and song. Use socks without mates to make puppets or sock dolls. The ideas are endless!
The Kids’ Imagination Project is another way for your children to express their creativity. Visit our KIP web page to download a postcard and learn how you can submit children’s art for our campaign! We regularly feature children’s art on our blog, and select student art is posted in albums on Abrakadoodle’s
Fan Page!
The art (top, left) by Benjamin, age 2 of Englewood, NJ features a colorful collage with a leaf. The art (bottom, right) by Thomas, age 4, of Sheboygan, WI is a colorful piece entitled, “Dinosaurs and hills and a tree.”
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How do you see creativity in your child, children or students?
Posted on 12/17/09 by Karin
Creativity is so important! We want to hear your stories about how you have seen your children or students use their imaginations in the visual arts. Share your stories by replying to this post!
Abrakadoodle, a global leader in creative children’s art education, has been hosting an ongoing campaign to promote and celebrate children’s imaginations: The Kids’ Imagination Project. Visit our KIP web page to download a postcard and learn how you can submit children’s art for our campaign! We regularly feature children’s art on our blog, and all student art is posted in albums on Abrakadoodle’s
Fan Page!
The art (top, left) by Athena, age 9 of Simi Valley, California is a shining example of how children can express their own ideas. The art (bottom, right) by Nishka, age 8 of Grand Rapids, Michigan is a striking piece, she titled, “Mountain Valley.”
Reply now and let us know how you see creativity in your child, children or students!
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KIP: Bringing out children’s originality
Posted on 12/10/09 by Karin
The Kids’ Imagination Project, Abrakadoodle’s global campaign to promote creativity, is demonstrating the power of children’s imaginations. The art (left) by Nate, age 9 of Grand Rapids, Michigan is aptly titled, “Nothing wrong with being different.” This sentiment expresses a truth about the visual arts – not only is there nothing wrong with being different, but it is good for children to embrace their uniqueness and originality!
In addition to the joy and sense of accomplishment children feel when they create their own art; another amazing benefit of an arts connection for kids is developing an appreciation for art creations by other artists (of all ages) and tolerance for the ideas expressed by others. The Kids’ Imagination Project is connecting kids around the globe. The art “Mermaid” (right) by Francisco, age 9 of Lisbon, Portugal, is a sketch of how he imagines this mythical creature. “Imagine” is the theme for this inaugural KIP campaign.
Any child can participate in Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project (children can send in more than one piece of art, too)! To learn more about KIP or to download a postcard, go to www.abrakadoodle.com/kip.htm.
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Kids’ Imagination Project: Imagine the Possibilities
Posted on 12/02/09 by KarinMake it an artful holiday!
Abrakadoodle is so pleased by the wonderful, original artworks that have been arriving for its Kids’ Imagination Project, a global campaign that encourages children worldwide to produce and share postcard art. This year’s theme is “Imagine.” Any child can participate in Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project (children can send in more than one piece of art, too)! To learn more about KIP or to download a postcard, visit our KIP page on the web.
Encourage your child to create art this holiday season! Working on art is a wonderful way to express creativity, feelings and reduce stress, too. Don’t forget to include safe art supplies as a special holiday surprise. Check out www.AbrakadoodleArt.com for a selection of artist challenge books and kits that include colored pencils and markers, as well as children’s art aprons, portfolios and Abrakadoodle’s own colorful FrameDoodles to celebrate your child’s art creations.
We are frequently featuring new children’s postcard art from creations submitted to Abrakadoodle’s world headquarters. This week’s art features original creations by (top, left) Monique, age 6 of Miami. Off to London town where we encounter within the Royal Collection 3 Faberge Eggs. Drawing inspiration from the Royal’s treasures we uncovered the art of jewelry making and experimented with model magic while discovering the streets of London. Artwork (center, right) was submitted by Andrea, age 11 of Portugal. Andrea is a student at an art school located in Cascais, near to Lisbon.
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Kids’ Imagination Project: Hail to the “Process” of Creating Art
Posted on 11/25/09 by Karin
Art for kids should focus on experimentation and imaginative self-expression, so that children can derive the greatest benefit and enjoyment. The alternative, which we call a product focus, limits the opportunities for learning. While children and parents alike are naturally delighted to see the inventive and often stunning outcomes of artistic endeavors, some of the best learning may come from creating something unexpected. In the process of mixing colors, a child may produce a color that more resembles mud than a spectacular new shade but the learning is valuable.
Process art truly engages children’s creativity as they explore design, shapes, color, balance, form, techniques, depth perception and so much more. They learn that there are many solutions to challenges they face and that uniqueness is good. Very importantly, children who practice process art know that there is no right or wrong way to create art and that they can always create something fresh and new.
Encourage your children to create art freely. Remember not focus on the end product but instead on the process: “How did you do that?” “What happened when you mixed those colors?” “Tell me about this creation?” “Did it turn out like you expected – why or why not?”
Creativity is a cornerstone of process art, and activities like Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project (KIP) offer children the opportunity to show what is inside their imagination. As Mary Rogers, Co-Founder of Abrakadoodle recently said, “Creativity is considered something of an abstraction, and so we designed KIP to reveal some of the creative ideas and images that reside in children’s imaginations through their own art works and will share this wonderful postcard art for the world to appreciate.”
KIP is a global campaign that encourages children worldwide to produce and submit postcard art. This year’s theme is “Imagine.”
We are frequently featuring new children’s postcard art from creations submitted to Abrakadoodle’s world headquarters. This week’s art features original creations by (top, left) Claire, age 7 of Maple Grove, Minnesota. Art (mid-page, left) by Aiden, age 3.5 of Santa Monica, California entitled, “Ladders & Happy Faces.” Post card art (bottom, right) by Lux, age 5 of Miami, Florida.
Any child can participate in Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project! To learn more about KIP or to download a postcard, visit our web site.
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See an Abrakadoodle Class in Action
Posted on 11/25/09 by KarinWSVN Channel 7 of Miami, Florida recently filmed an Abrakadoodle class. Check out kids’ creativity in action!
Are you a fan of Abrakadoodle?
Posted on 11/24/09 by KarinJoin Abrakadoodle’s Facebook Fan Page! You can check out all of our albums, featuring fabulous children’s art submitted for Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project.
Check back to our blog soon for a new KIP art and creativity post. If you follow us on Twitter, we’ll send a tweet when we update our blog.
Enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Kids’ Imagination Project
Posted on 11/18/09 by KarinArt is a great stress-buster
Keep holiday spirits bright this season by encouraging your children to express themselves though artful activities. Activities like Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project (KIP) promote a healthy use of your children’s imagination. Consider ways in which you can help set the tone for your children’s creative ventures at home. Try using background music of a different genre from what your children are tuned into, such as classical, show tunes or jazz, which could stimulate great results. You could also suggest that they shut their eyes to begin the creative process, inhaling deeply and becoming conscious of just their breathing. This is a great relaxation technique, too. A great way to begin creating with art is to use imagery to guide your children.
As they practice their quiet breathing with eyes shut, set a story in place aimed at helping them connect to mental imagery. Whether you describe a fanciful or mystical setting or portray a specific holiday scene or colorful surrounding, you can help your children enhance their inner vision. In a soft voice, begin the journey, such as: Imagine gently floating up into the sky in a beautiful, strong bubble that easily holds your weight. The bubble is iridescent, making the world appear more colorful as you gaze below. You can command the bubble to take you anywhere you like. You float along to an enchanted forest with immense trees that have giant green canopies. You can see some of its inhabitants living in a maze of tree houses nestled high up toward the treetops. When your children begin to see a captivating mental image, suggest that they begin drawing or painting what they have envisioned.
KIP is a global campaign that encourages children worldwide to produce and submit postcard art. This year’s theme is “Imagine.”
Every week new children’s art is featured from postcard art submitted to Abrakadoodle’s world headquarters. This week’s art features original creations by (top, left) Max, age 8 of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Art (center, left) by Monique, age 6 of Miami, Florida. Post card art (bottom, left) by Martim, age 11 of Cascais, Portugal.
Any child can participate in Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project! Visit our KIP page on the web to learn more or to download a postcard.
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Kids’ Imagination Project
Posted on 11/12/09 by KarinCreating a Culture that Nurtures Not Stifles Creativity
A November 3rd, 2009 article, “How schools stifle creativity,” on CNN.com provides a video link and updated remarks by Sir Ken Robinson surrounding the question, “Are schools killing creativity.” “We get educated out of our creative capacity,” Sir Ken Robinson asserts in his taped remarks, yet all children have the capacity for innovation, he believes.
The visual arts can offer children a creative outlet that does not involve right or wrong answers, standardized test performance or rigid confines to approach problem solving. A great arts program begins with a philosophy that embraces process over product and encourages individual expression and experimentation. Eliminating fear of failure and self-doubt can bolster a child’s confidence to convey original ideas through art.
In an ongoing effort to highlight the importance of creativity, Abrakadoodle is hosting the Kids’ Imagination Project, a global campaign that encourages children worldwide to produce and submit postcard art that reflects on the theme, “Imagine.”
Every week new children’s art is featured from postcard art submitted to Abrakadoodle’s world headquarters. This week’s art features original creations by (top, left) Cairo, age 6 of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida entitled, “Goozilla.” Art by Caroline (center, right) age 9 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, which she calls, “Nobody’s paying attention.” Artwork (bottom, left) by Tomas, age 10 of Lisbon, Portugal, which he titled, “Let’s change the world!”
Any child can participate in Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project! To learn more about KIP or to download a postcard, go to Abrakadoodle’s website.
Follow us on
to hear about new blog posts featuring children’s creative postcard art!
View our photo albums on Abrakadoodle’s
fan page.
Weigh in on the topic of kids and creativity! Do you think creativity is essential for children?
