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Watercolor Painting for Kids
Many parents buy their kids a simple watercolor set as young as six years old to make the painting as learning experience for them. Aside from instilling the value of art appreciation, parents encourage their kids to paint using watercolors because this can teach them the value of resourcefulness, creativity, patience, and perseverance.
Getting Started
Next to using crayons, kids are very fond of using watercolors when painting. Aside from being an enjoyable activity that kids can share with their parents, painting using watercolor can also be one of those activities they can share with their playmates and friends.
But, before you get excited in starting to teach your kids the beauty of watercolor painting, there are some things you need to consider:
1. Interest. The first thing to consider in encouraging your kids to get into watercolor painting is their interest in the craft. If your child is one of those who are into art and into drawing or collecting good images, then she or he is the perfect candidate for the activity. This is because she/he already has the drive and the creativity to create another masterpiece. But if your child is not yet interested with crafts and arts, it doesn’t mean he/she cannot indulge into watercolor painting. In fact, this is the perfect time to introduce him/her into a new world of exciting and enjoyable activity.
2. Space. Aside from the interest of your child in art, another thing you need to consider is the availability of space where your kids can do the activity. Since watercolor painting requires a lot of materials, you will need a space big enough for them to sprawl and to scatter the materials they will use for watercolor painting. It is advisable that you provide a space where kids can do their watercolor painting and a place where they can leave their stuff.
3. Availability and cost of supplies. You also need to consider the amount of materials and the cost of supplies your child will need. Since you are about to teach him /her basic watercolor painting, you will need a basic set composed of paints and pigments, brushes, papers, palette and water.
Since you will be the one teaching your child about watercolor painting, it would be best if you are familiar with it. Or it would be best if you will learn watercolor painting on your own. When your child sees you doing the activity he or she will be influenced in engaging into the craft.
One way to learn the basics of watercolor painting is to get a crash course online. Aside from the basic techniques in watercolor painting, you can also learn painting tips and application methods. By enrolling to an online watercolor painting class, you can also be introduced to different styles and modern techniques.
The length of the various watercolor painting courses available depends on your knowledge about the craft and how much more would you want to learn. But, basic online courses for watercolor painting usually last from four days up to one week. Then, you will be asked to complete the rest of the exercises at home.
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Watercolors and Arts for Children
Involving children into art will help them explore their creativity, imagination, artistic skills and kill boredom without spending too much. Art is great way for children to express themselves, there are different kinds of artistic expressions they could explore. One of them is watercolor painting.
Watercolors are easy to clean so children could easily use them. There are also different watercolour exercises that children can do. For example, the wet on wet technique. Let the children apply watercolour on a dry and wet piece of paper. Let them describe how applying paint on dry and wet surfaces are different and where they can be used.
• With color blending, let children mix different colors and draw different images that they see around them.
• Black and white watercolour painting is another great activity. Color the entire paper in black and then let it dry. After drying, draw on the black paper using white watercolour with their own design. It could also be done the other way around, with the paper white and the watercolour designs in black.
• Thread painting uses thread which is dipped in paint. Arrange the thread on the paper in whatever way you want. Then press and pull the thread creating designs on the paper.
• Use watercolour in coloring decorative items that the children made like paper maches.
• Watercolor painting is also a great activity for parents and their kids. Everything nowadays is so fast-paced that we forget to spend more time with family and children. Watercolour painting is a great way to slow down and enjoy life with our family.
When teaching children with art, it is important to understand that what the children see is different from what adults see. They may color animals which are far from their actual colors. Let the children express themselves in this creative experience. It is important to keep in mind that children have potential for artistic expression. Parents, guardians and teachers have the responsibility to let children express their artistry.
There are different studies showing that involving children in art would help them reduce their stress. They are able to develop self-confidence since they have created something which is appreciated by other people. Aside from improving their confidence, they are also able to improve the senses like vision and sense of touch.
Teaching art on kids could help in their cognitive growth, improve their memory, helps them understand better, and enable them to become competent. Art could also improve their symbolic communication since children were able to translate what they see around them into their own symbols and reflection of reality.
For older children, parents may still interest them in painting. Art materials and art books could pique their interest and eventually involve them in art and craft making. Watercolour painting is just one of many art media which can be maximized by the kids. Adolescents and young teens could explore other media like comic strips. Parents should keep in mind that children’s involvement in art should never be forced, instead the children should be provided with opportunities where they can make their own decision.
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Easy-to-Follow Home Recycling Tips for the Family
The incessant talk about global warming, pollution, the use of fossil fuels, and the destruction of our forests has spurred more and more people to come up with innovative ideas on how they can help clean up the planet, and prevent further damage to it.
If each individual on the planet did his or her own small thing, such as recycle, it all should add up to one significant change, as well as help make a big difference in the long term. Reusing, reducing and recycling waste needs to start at home. Here are a few recycling tips that you can easily follow at home.
Reuse Scrap Paper, and Don’t Throw Your Old Newspapers
Your old newspapers can still do a lot of helpful stuff. They can be reused for packing your valuables into your storage boxes, and can be used in your kitty litter box. Scrap paper can also reused. Use up both sides to print documents, unless you’re printing a very important office or business document. You can also send your old newspapers to a collection facility for proper recycling.
Plastic Bottles can be Recycled
Set aside an area in your garage or storage room for storing plastic bottles. If your town or city has a collection facility or pick-up point, bring your plastic bottles there, and trade them for cash. Ice cream and yoghurt plastic containers can be reused to store candies, biscuits and other items, and may also be used for storing your kids’ crayons, pens and small toys.
How to Recycle Old Electronic Items
Ensure that all the batteries you use for your flashlights, cell phones and toys are sent to recycling centers, because throwing these in the garbage bin may harm the environment. Any broken electronic appliances or items may also be repaired and reused at home too. However, irreparable electronic items can be sold as junk, or sent to a collection facility for proper recycling and disposal.
Recycling Kitchen Waste
Kitchen waste, especially the organic ones, can be used as manure or fertilizer, once these have been placed in a compost pit. The productive use of kitchen wastes helps reduce a town or city’s sewage and garbage problems. The tin cans which often accumulate in your kitchen can also be collected and crushed, and sent to a recycling facility.
Be Earth Friendly When Going Shopping
When shopping or going to the grocery, always bring a cloth bag, and avoid using plastic shopping bags, because these are very hard to recycle. In addition, buy goods or products that are made from recycled materials, or use recycled materials for packaging.
These are but a few of the many things that you can do to help make our world a cleaner and safer place to live in. With a lot of research and simple innovation, you can actually make a difference for the planet.
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