Fine Arts & Extracurriculars Articles

When the kids are home from school and the snow is falling outside, there’s just something magical about curling up on the couch with a good book. And what better way to share the cozy, wintertime vibes than by reading winter-themed books with your children? This holiday season, make precious new memories with your kids by stocking up on Christmas, New Year, and wintertime children’s titles that are perfect for ages 3-7. And when reading doesn’t have to end for the night, turn on the TV to watch your child’s favorite tales come to life on the screen. 

In this article, our author Lori Toney shares some titles that have become favorites in her family’s household over the years. So, warm up the hot cocoa and keep reading to discover the best books to add to your family’s bookshelf:

Mastering scissors develops fine motor skills and improves pencil grip while fostering bilateral coordination and engaging both sides of a child's brain simultaneously. This necessary ingredient will help your child tremendously in completing the academic tasks in class. And it’s good to remember that school isn’t just about internalizing knowledge—it’s also about learning to manipulate and produce things! 

In this article, you'll find exciting and safe scissor activities to help preschoolers develop and reinforce this critical ability.

This summer, paper packaging doesn’t have to go to waste! Each of the projects will not only help you to be better stewards of the environment, but they offer quality time with your kids while giving them a creative outlet this summer.

Thanksgiving creates a perfect opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their kids while teaching them how to reflect on what’s important and express their gratitude. Last month, we discussed wholesome ways to celebrate Halloween by creating sustainable, DIY costumes. This month, let’s continue to explore ways to create fun, fall decorations and crafts by reusing materials found around the house. 

Keep reading to find Thanksgiving-inspired DIY ideas to craft with your kids this November.

From Mexico’s Día de Los Muertos to China’s Teng Chieh Lantern Festival, cultures around the world commonly recognize a celebration in honor of the dead. In America, that holiday is best known as Halloween, and while it’s not a federally recognized holiday that results in a day off from school, it is a much-loved celebration that both kids and adults look forward to during the entire month of October.  

Like many holidays, Halloween has evolved from ancient pagan customs, with this one originating in Ireland long ago. Samhain was a Gaelic religious festival that celebrated the end of the harvest season and to mark the beginning of winter.  

Is your little one fascinated by dinosaurs? Well, they're not alone! Most kids find these creatures awe-inspiring, and we can totally see why. Dinosaurs roamed the Earth millions of years before us, yet we never got to see them firsthand. All we know about their shape and size is from fossils and bones we dug out from the ground. 

So let’s join in on the dinosaur excitement with these 6 rawrsome DIY activities for your dino-loving kids to enjoy!

Listening to podcasts supports learning in many ways because unlike virtually every other online resource that is visual in nature, podcasts strengthen imagination, listening comprehension and ultimately, language skills. Join us as we discuss our favorite podcasts for kids! 

Spring is considered to be a time of rebirth. Days become longer, spring flowers start to flourish, days get warmer. We want to congratulate everyone on the calendar start of spring and mention some amusing activities you may participate in after long and cold winter. In this short article, you will find some spring-related worksheets to keep your child's mind busy with learning new concepts!

This year, President’s Day is on February 20st, and it’s quite possible that you and your family don’t have any plans to celebrate. As it turns out, this federal holiday is one of a few across the calendar that lacks in popularity and consistency. In fact, there is some confusion as to what this holiday celebrates as the government also calls it Washington’s Birthday. Instead of letting another President’s Day go by unnoticed, teach your child about its rich history and significance. Keep reading to learn more about the origin of this important holiday and find ways to celebrate with your children!

Even before babies can pick up or hold a paintbrush, most children love making artwork using their hands. One important way kids explore and learn about the world around them is through their artwork. Veteran parents, educators, and even therapists will expound on way in which the youngest of artists utilize their imaginations and develop creativity by using paints and sometimes shaving cream or the food on their plates to experiment with textures, colors, and images.