Miniature Art with Clay

Do you adore miniatures? If you do, then you must check out these miniatures local delights; think mee pok and more. Made by Kin who sell the cute stuff she made and also conduct classes.

rainbowclayminiature

little loft

If you love scrapbooks but never have the time, now someone can make them for you....

little loft

Pre-Loved Item For Sale

When I first became a mom, I would never have considered buying pre-loved items for Paris. At that time I thought only new and expensive items will be good enough for my precious. But, as I progress I realised pre-loved items (if you know who you are buying from and the condition of what you are buying) can be very good buys and definitely do not equate to you love your baby less. If you realised buying pre-loved means you have extra money for something else and saving the earth (recycle is always good), you might be smart enough to grab some good deals ;) Agree?

For Sale
Brand - Ralph Lauren
Size - T2
Price - 15 SGD (free normal postage within Singapore)
Condition - 9/10
Description - This is a pre-loved authentic girl's (toddler) shirt from Ralph Lauren. Very pretty and looks great with jeans, jumpers and skirts. Interested email me.

Outdoor Fun

I'm a firm believer of outdoor fun for kids. Paris and I hang out at the parks, pools, playgrounds, beaches etc etc as much as we can. Sometimes we just go on strolls around the neighbourhood. I like the space, nature and fresh air of the outdoors and not forgetting how the outdoors is good for our well being.

Article - Childrens outdoor play is essential for good health

If You Take A Mouse To The Movies

Recently, my little girl had a play party with her friends. To make it fun and more meaningful, the mothers took turns to tell stories to the children. The children were excited and they too shared some stories and songs. Since it was the Christmas season, I brought along our 'If you take a mouse to the movies' book by Laura Joffe Numeroff and shared this lovely and cute story of a mouse who went to the movies, wanted some popcorn, made a string of popcorn and more christmas ornaments for his tree, then he realised he lost his string of popcorn, he wanted some popcorn and went back to the movies. With the lovely illustrations, the children enjoyed the story.

I always love the idea to read a story and make it fun with actvities so that day, I brought along some colourful papers, lots of glitters (our little mouse friend used lots of glitter too), magic pens and stickers and guided the children to make their own christmas tree ornaments. And of course, there was lovely silver strings too. At the end of our party that day, I am glad the children had some thing they made to bring home and they were excited to go back home and hang their ornaments up :) They didn't ask for pop corn or movies but they sure did asked for more crafts and parties!


Amazon - review on If you take a mouse to the movies

Cream Parlour

This website will make you want to have a little girl of your own. Hand sewn dresses and handmade accessories for little ones.... its easy to fall in love with everything in this shop.

Creamparlour

Little Red Riding Hood

Another character party in school this year and I made for Paris a little red riding hoodie. No machine required, just hand sewing. I'm very pleased with the result plus its always fun for the kids to play dress up.

• Notes: Interested in 'Read a story, make a craft' sessions for your child, register interest with Tanya at kippee21@hotmail.com

Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?

This is an art piece I did with my daughter, Paris for a school activity. I love to work with stories (books)and crafts;read a story, make a craft. Kids really find them enjoyable and definitely a fun way to learn. This was for "Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you See?" by Eric Carle. The kindergarten had a story book character parade. This was in 2008, Paris was 3.

• Notes: Interested in 'Read a story, make a craft' sessions for your child, register interest with Tanya at kippee21@hotmail.com

Canon Selphy ES40

I rewarded myself with an early Christmas present, a Canon's Selphy!!!! Sis has one and I really saw how good and fun it was and I wanted one too. Its easy to use and lots of fun plus I really love printing pictures and giving out to friends. When I saw the smiles on their faces, I'm just so happy to know how the colourful and pretty pictures brighten up their day. Recently, dear daughter had a birthday party and we were taking pictures, printing pictures and giving out to our guests. Everyone was really delighted with our special party favour.

Canon runs workshop for its Selphy, check this out.

Art Classes In Singapore

Do help to add to the list.
kinderart
one-art-studio
rush-me-not.com
uniqarts
artbootcamp.com
studioharoobeeclub
playeum
singaporeartmuseum

Document your kids work

This may sounds like too much work but personally I love documenting my daughter's art work. I keep most pieces of her work and I take pictures and post them in my personal blog. It gives me lots of joy to see her work and who knows one day I may present something nice to her with her own works.


This picture is from Sept 2008, we were in a paper handbag making phrase. They were simple  to make and yet very pretty. They were everywhere in the room during that period and I used them to store things. It was very nice.

Art is Good (Twenty Reasons Art is Good for Kids)

Art is one of the easiest and most meaningful activity we can provide around the house for our kids. I don't think I have seen a child who doesn't enjoy art. Sometimes the messy play from art is all they need and with encouragement our kids can create great work of arts. This is Paris working her piece. All I did was gave her lots of paper, paints and encouragement. Art at home is inexpensive yet meaningful. Don't let the mess scare you off. You will be surprise if you patiently guide your child, the mess is really manageable.

Twenty Reasons Art is Good for Kids
1. Art stimulates both sides of brain.
2. 33% of children are visual learners.
3. Studies show that children who do art read better and do better in math and science.
4. Children need to learn through their senses and art is an excellent way of doing this.
5. Children must have a place in school to express themselves.
6. Art enhances self-esteem.
7. Art develops awareness of the physical environment.
8. Art develops hand-eye coordination.
9. Art enhances perceptual development.
10. Art teaches open-ended thinking. It presents a culture of questions rather than a culture of answers.
11. Art teaches children that there can be more than one solution to the same problem.
12. Art teaches children how to engage in creative problem solving.
13. Children can share and reflect on their art to learn about themselves, each other, and the world in which they live.
14. When art is integrated with other curriculum areas children become more engaged in learning process.
15. In the process of art making a child is presented with possibility, discovery , and freedom thereby disrupting the control and predictability of conventional education found in the U.S. today.
16. Art nurtures the human soul! (It feels good to do it!)
17. Art brings the community’s cultural resources into the classroom.
18. Art involves parents and guardians in school governance and volunteer activities.
19. Art provides a means, a common ground, to reach across racial stereotypes, barriers, and prejudices.
20. Art is valuable for its own sake!


Copyright 2005 Museum's of Children's Art (MOCHA)

10 Compelling Reasons To Use Arts And Craft For Kids

10 Compelling Reasons To Use Arts And Craft For Kids

The merits of arts and craft for kids are regularly argued for the real improvements they make on child development.


If you have a kid or are involved with them, the following list of compelling reasons will dismiss any doubt you have merely seeing arts and craft as some pleasurable activity.


Indeed, you will also realize arts and craft for kids can be a valuable aid to improve child development. And if carefully selected, will give long-lasting and splendid rewards.


10 Splendid Qualities Arts And Craft For Kids Will Develop

1. Creativity


Most people spontaneously state creativity as the first personality charateristic arts and craft for kids will develop.


And it is correct.


Everyone has inherent skills and talents. And it is possible to radically improve and boost them... even if you only have a little.


Creativity enables your child to try out and benefit from new ideas, options and alternatives in any future career. Kids learn to do things in new ways and literally profiting from thinking "out of the box".


2. Perseverance


Perseverance is regularly stated as the single most important quality for any successful business person, sportsman, professional or individual.


In fact, most well-known breakthroughs in life have been attributed to perseverance alone.


And fortunately, arts and craft for kids improves everyone's perseverance.


Kids learn to keep trying until they finish any task. And if something goes wrong... they simply persist by trying new ways and means.


3. Concentration


Similar to having perseverance, developing concentration is probably the second best quality any successful individual can have.


Arts and craft for kids will definitely teach your child to focus on one specific task at hand... ignoring other distractions. In short, concentration will definitely improve.



4. Delayed Gratification


Delaying gratification is an exceptionally important characteristic to reach meaningful long-term goals... especially in future careers.


Many studies have shown that lack of this characteristic continues even in adult life. People focus only on short-term results... making it very difficult to reach meaningful long-term goals.


Without this quality, kids will always want a result now!


It may even influence your child's career decision.


So, use arts and craft for kids to teach your child to wait for the results.


5. Social Interaction


Arts and craft for kids teach social interaction when working and interacting in smaller groups.


Communication among friend is also improved.


6. Task Completion


All arts and craft for kids develop a sense of satisfaction on task completion.


Not only is this ability important for scholastic performance, but you'll also reap the benefits in adult life.


Together with perseverance it eliminates giving up before a task is completed or even being distracted to focus on other interesting things.


7. Planning


Many experts have emphatically stated that careful planning is the basis of all great achievements.


Arts and craft for kids teach...
- following a recipe or plan to completion
- systematically and logically doing things, and...
- formulating new ideas and thoughts.


8. Expression Of Emotions


Experience teaches us that things do not always work out as planned. And most of us then find it hard to express our frustrations.


But, here's the most important part. Arts and crafts for kids will surely go a long way to teach expression of emotions. They learn to handle frustrations and to just keep on trying.


9. Openness


Many adults have great ideas and solutions to many problems. Yet, for fear of criticism few ever do anything with the ideas.


This is sad and definitely avoidable.


Parents can equip their children to effectively handle this problem.


A great quality all arts and craft for kids develop is allowing and opening up for feedback, critique and comments.


A vital, yet often lacking quality in those adults that never try out their ideas.


10. Self Image


Arts and craft for kids improve self image. When finding success in the other qualities, it is inevitable that some sense of self-worth rubs off.


Frankly, it's a quality that will do anyone's self image and confidence a world of good.


These are only a few compelling reasons why you must consider arts and craft for kids as a critical part of their development.


Here's also a wide range of arts and craft for kids you can immediately use.


With benefits ranging from mere enjoyment to developing long-lasting, superb adult-life qualities, take the time to fully explore and benefit from arts and craft for kids.


This artcle s taken fromnorthpole toyshop