Kids Get Crafty

What would you create with this beautiful collection of sea glass?
The possibilities are endless!

2 weeks to go for these fun packed workshops!
Spaces still available for Tuesday 22nd
Wednesday 23rd SOLD OUT

Sea Glass Art | kidsgetcrafty Let your creativity shine through beautiful sea glass

Join us for a fun and creative Sea Glass Art workshop these school holidays.
Perfect for kids aged 8-12, this hands on session will allow young artists to explore their creativity using beautiful sea glass collected from local beaches.

Tuesday 22nd or Wednesday 23rd April
10:00am-12:00pm
Our Melville Studio

🤔 Learn about sea glass and how it’s formed
🖼️ Create a stunning, framed, unique art work to take home
🎨 Gain artistic confidence
👫 Make friends and have fun!

For more info visit
www.kidsgetcrafty.com.au/event-list

Time for this reminder!

This is my most widely shared post. And rightly so, it’s an important one. These are “prewriting patterns”, with the average (but not prescribed) age at which children are developmentally ready to achieve these patterns listed below them in years and months. Being able to process visual information and produce a movement in response (e.g. copying these prewriting patterns or letter formations), is known as “visual motor integration”.

Note that an X is not typically achieved until 4 years 11 months, and a triangle at 5 years 3 months. If a child can’t form these basic shapes...then they probably won’t be able to form letters. ⠀⠀
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It is quite concerning then that there are 3 year 7 month olds starting formal schooling (in Western Australia at least), where they’re soon expected to write. Not only are their visual motor integration skills not developed enough, their hands are also physically under-developed. In addition, recognising letters, understanding phonics and beginning to read are all needed in order for a child to write meaningfully, skills which children starting kindy (and preprimary) typically don’t have. We also know that when a child learns something that doesn’t hold meaning, it‘s unlikely to stick.
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So if you have a 3-4 year old who spontaneously asks or attempts to write letters, that’s great; otherwise, there is no need to initiate or worry about this. Unfortunately there is a misconception, particularly with the way that the current curriculum and expectations stand, that earlier is better. Earlier is not always better.

Preschool children should be focusing on the foundation skills needed for writing, and most of this can be achieved through PLAY. Big body movements like running and jumping and climbing to strengthen the core, shoulders and hands; playing and tinkering with small parts and toys to develop fine motor skills and the coordination and strength needed to grasp a pencil; drawing and experimenting with shapes; and finally guidance from adults on how to form individual letters efficiently, BEFORE writing words and sentences.

Please note that this message does not translate to “don’t teach prewriting patterns” or “don’t get help if you’re concerned” - it is more to ease the minds of parents who may be concerned that their child is “behind”.

Source of shape and age ranges: Beery Buktenica Test of Visual Motor Integration, 6th Edition

“Art Dose” Did you know that 2hours of recreational arts per week has been linked to mental wellbeing? Recreational arts includes the books we read, the music we listen to, singing, dancing, painting , drawing, knitting, sewing, photography, art classes, attending concerts and so much more. Keep in mind… you don’t have to be good at art for the arts to be good for you … it’s about taking part, having a go and doing the arts YOU enjoy in a way that suits your lifestyle.

See research from The University of Western Australia: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-015-2672-7

Less than two weeks until the start of our super special Julia Donaldson art and craft classes in Kardinya.
I wonder if we’ll meet any fire breathing dragons? 🔥 🐉

Watching your little one develop new skills is a joy!
I always have a cutting activity in class to nuture important scissor skills.
Tips to help your child become a master with scissors…
* Start with safety scissors designed for little hands.
* Practice on scrap paper or old magazines.
* If needed help your child by holding a strip of paper taut for them to snip straight across.
* Encourage proper hand positioning…their thumb should be in the top hole, facing up with two finger in the lower hole. It may help to draw a smiley face on their thumb nail.
* Celebrate every snip and cut.
* Don’t forget to supervise closely whenever the scissors are in reach.
* Have fun!

Happy Father’s Day!