Did you almost go insane being cooped up with the kids for a few unexpected snow days last week, listening to their plaintive cries about having nothing to do?
Does it seem like a lot of children these days go through their day approaching each moment or activity as if they have a remote control in their hand, clicking through the options faster than parents can dish them out, always anxious to see what’s next, convinced there will be something more exciting right around the corner? Are your kids so used to being entertained that they sometimes struggle to stay interested in one thing for very long, and have difficulty imagining creative ways to entertain themselves?
There’s a locally-owned and operated children’s art studio in South Charlotte, small hands big art, that is working hard to “banish the boredom” and help stimulate and develop children’s imaginations. Their motto is “Life is short. Use more glitter.” and we couldn’t agree more!
Did you know that, according to Americans for the Arts, in part, an arts education:
-Develops critical thinking, and refines cognitive and creative skills.
-Strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
-Teaches children life skills such as developing an informed perception; articulating a vision; learning to solve problems and make decisions; building self-confidence and self-discipline; developing the ability to imagine what might be; and accepting responsibility to complete tasks from start to finish.
-Nurtures important values, including team-building skills; respecting alternative viewpoints; and appreciating and being aware of different cultures and traditions.
-Plays a central role in cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional development.
-Motivates and engages children in learning, stimulates memory, facilitates understanding, enhances symbolic communication, promotes relationships, and provides an avenue for building competence.
small hands big art strives to promote each child’s unique expression and discovery of the joy of art, and they believe it is important to provide them with artistic freedom and latitude to make their own creative choices and work at their own pace, while downplaying the aesthetic value of the finished product. They strive to stimulate their thoughts, feelings, and perception in a way that inspires and encourages each child to express their ideas visually, while offering individualized guidance during the creative process as needed.
Check them out! They offer weekly classes in six week sessions as well as spring break & summer camps and some pretty fabulous parties! Classes are segregated by age for kids ranging from toddlers to 14, and they even have a new 90-minute Spanish + Art class in conjunction with
Criss Cross Mangosauce (ages 4-8). The Late Winter session runs from January 24 – March 5th.
small hands big art
8025 Ardrey Kell Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28277
704.246.8271www.smallhandsbigart.com
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