Carol Peters
With over 30 years experience in art education , Carol is an award winning artist , actress , executive producer and star of “ Carol on Creativity ” Named 2021 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival ’ s Art Icon . Her passion is to bring art alive for young and young at heart . Contact Carol at : caroljp @ garlic . com
KIDS corner
Spice Up Your Fall ... With Lighted Jars
Guest Artists ... Elizabeth Sorenson , age 10 , and Dylan Sorenson , age 13
Children will remember what they feel when they are creating more than the specifics of the art they produce . So , connect with your child with a fun , simple project that will bring warm memories and a great result !
( Left ) Supplies Needed : May be laying around the house or in the garage . Other supplies are available at the Dollar Store or other discount store . Shop local !
Fall is the start of the holiday season and a perfect time to spice up your surroundings with a fun art project such as this Lighted Jar Project . Making arts or crafts with a family member or friend can be some of the most enjoyable and memorable times for your child . I am constantly doing art projects with my grandchildren , ages 7 to 13 . At times I teach them something new by showing them the steps . Other times , they just want me to sit , and watch them when they create . Whether our communication is verbal or non-verbal , we ’ re making a human connection , bonding , sharing , and developing mutual respect .
Even if the project doesn ’ t turn out exactly how it was intended , the process is important . As children get used to creating , they get more comfortable and it results in an undeniable sense of joy . Encourage them , praise their efforts , but also ask them how they feel about their own creations , and they will develop a sense of accomplishment that will , in turn , give them more confidence in other areas of life . It ’ s a great way for kids to express their feelings , as their creations are extensions of themselves .
Children will remember what they feel when they are creating more than the specifics of the art they produce . So , connect with your child with a fun , simple project that will bring warm memories and a great result !
Creating art should be an easy part of your child ’ s daily life , so it ’ s helpful to designate an art area in your home or corner of your garage . Stock it with a variety of tools and materials : crayons , markers , scissors , found objects , boxes , containers , watercolors , brushes etc . My daughter has a card table , chairs and bins of all sorts of supplies in a corner of her family room where the kids are free to create . Older children will appreciate having a corner already set up instead of having to pull things out and use a kitchen table that you are going to have to clear for dinner . Children who have a higher exposure to art will do better in all aspects of their learning . Everyone has an imagination … art takes it to the next level .
The Lighted Jar Project we are doing here will spice up any holiday ! Think of red hearts for Valentine ’ s Day , action figures for a child ’ s birthday party , rubber duckies for a baby shower , little sparkly eggs for Easter , or any theme , any time . This project is fabulous for kids and adults . The result can be used as ornaments ( with a special top ), place settings at a holiday table , a children ’ s birthday party inside , or outside in a tent , to name a few . The uses are endless . Lights just have a way of making you feel warm and cozy .
80 FALL 2021 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com