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How to Help a Child With a Learning Disability Get Involved in Art by Guest Blogger: Lillian Brooks

11/26/2018

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Art is a wonderful medium for self-expression and learning. If you have a child with a learning disability, discovering art can mean a world of difference to their quality of life. Here are a few ways you can expose your child to art.
 
At Home
 
Introducing your child to art at home can be an effective starting point. Your child may be more at ease in their home, where you can set parameters that will keep them comfortable and stress free. Learning art at home can also let you control how your child discovers art. You might use YouTube, as well as child-friendly websites for instructions and guides. Developing a hobby room could aid in creating a safe space free of distraction and stress where they can best focus on creativity. Fill the room with a variety of art supplies to encourage your child to experiment in different styles. You could dedicate a wall or fixture to display their works. Choose surfaces that can be cleaned easily, and place storage boxes so that the room remains organized and spacious. A hobby room has the added benefit of containing the inevitable messes that come up during an art session.
 
Galleries and Museums
 
One excellent way to stimulate interest in art is through galleries and museums. This can be a highly visual approach, offering a wide range of different styles and artistic approaches. Museums and galleries can provide engaging lessons about the history of art in a way that is accessible and fun. Importantly, they encourage questions and curiosity that may creatively inspire and awaken a passion for art. Some establishments have their own workshops and events specially designed for children with learning disabilities, as well as programs that offer more sensory and visually oriented approaches to learning.
 
Art Therapy
 
Another route that could be taken is art therapy. This is a process that can take place in various settings and may prove beneficial in not only exposing your child to art, but in improving self-esteem and interpersonal skills. Art therapists are trained to nurture curiosity and encourage a full range of expression that may help develop better self-awareness and the processing of emotions. The environment that a trained therapist can create may aid in reducing stress and anxiety, as well as help improve focus. Many different types of art can be explored, from clay sculpting to coloring mandalas.
 
Art Classes
 
Finding classes that provide a safe and positive environment for children may also nurture interest in art. Children can thrive in places where they are able to make new friends and learn without pressure and stress. After-school pursuits may help in making learning about art fun and accessible, while also giving your child valuable experience in collaborating with others. Organizations like the Girl Scouts of America and the YMCA, as well as museums, offer opportunities for such creative pursuits. Consult with your local library or your child's school to see if there are other resources available.
 
Participate With Your Child
 
No matter how you expose your child to art, showing them support and love as they explore their creativity will be a fantastic way to motivate them. Encourage their creativity, demonstrate to them how proud you are of their effort and imagination, and participate alongside them whenever you can. Whether this is at a class or in their hobby room, it's the perfect opportunity to have fun while creating memories and learning more about your little one's imagination. This may also give you the chance to encourage your child to problem-solve through art while offering them a helping hand when needed. Be sure to show them how impressed you are by their choices, whether it's how they use a particular color or how they draw a specific object. Being on the receiving end of praise will offer a big boost to their sense of accomplishment and confidence.
 
Introducing your child to art can have a positive impact on how they express themselves. It may allow them to harness their imagination and deal with day-to-day challenges. In the process, art may help reduce anxiety, improve confidence, and give them a medium to comfortably communicate their feelings and thoughts.
 
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
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5 Fun Ways to Keep Kids Learning on Rainy Days by Guest Blogger:  Jenny Wise

8/20/2018

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​Just because the weather is rainy doesn’t mean your kids need to park in front of the television all day long. There’s a lot you can do to keep your kids productively engaged when they can’t go outside and school’s not in session. Here are some of my favorite educational activities for rainy days.

Science Experiments
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Little kids love science, but by the time they reach middle and high school, science loses its draw. It’s unfortunate, because according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are growing faster and paying higher than many other careers. One way you can foster a lasting love for the sciences is by getting kids involved in hands-on science experiments early in life. There are many simple experiments you can do at home for cheap, and many are perfectly safe and doable for young kids. Find inspiration for at-home science experiments online, like these instructions for making “lava” or this guide to making a levitating orb.

Sign Language

Learning sign language can improve your children’s spelling and communication skills, build their vocabulary, and refine their small motor skills, even if they don’t have a hearing impairment. Not only that, but hearing kids love sign language because it feels like their own secret code. Give your kids a leg up on language learning by starting them on sign language early. Children pick up signs quickly by watching instructional videos designed just for kids.

Real-Life Math

Kids don’t always realize that the math problems they practice in school have real-world applications, but you can drive the lessons home by finding ways to practice math in everyday life. Ask your kids to calculate how much the treat they want costs after tax, have them measure ingredients for a baking recipe, or determine how many pavers you’ll need for a new front walk. You can also turn to online resources to expose kids to real-world math applications from telling time through building a budget.

Online Drawing Tutorials

Self-expression is important to kids’ self-esteem, and drawing is one of the earliest ways that kids show their creative spirit. If your little ones love to draw, take their doodles to the next level with online drawing tutorials. There are many resources online for kid-friendly drawing tutorials, like the free videos at Art for Kids Hub or the step-by-step instructions at DrawingCoach.com. Skip lessons designed for adults, as the teaching style is often too dry to keep kids engaged.

Space Exploration

Outer space is enormous and complex, and to your kids, it’s a symbol of all the possibility that the world holds. Encourage your budding astronomers to learn more about space by turning them on to National Geographic’s Passport to Space. There, kids can learn about the planets, discover black holes, find instructions for a DIY telescope, get tips on moon photography, and test their growing knowledge with fun quizzes.

Children love to learn. However, if you’re just sitting them down at the kitchen table with a workbook, it won’t seem like they do. Instead of fighting your kids’ preference for play over homework, find ways that they can learn while also having fun. Your kids will still get educational value out of rainy days, and you’ll get through with your patience intact.
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