Artsy Thursday is an opportunity to keep the creative juices from Work Together Wednesday flowing. Enjoy the process of making art together without needing to make the perfect project. Set up whatever kid-friendly art materials you have- colored paper, stickers, markers, pencils, clay, etc., and see what they come up with! Throughout the year, young children get a lot of artistic “assignments” such as a holiday-themed craft or birthday card for a family member. Today is the day to let them decide what to create.

Open-ended artistic expression fosters creativity, curiosity, and helps children tolerate frustration. It also helps develop fine motor skills by using different kinds of materials with their hands. By praising their ideas and focus rather than the finished product, you will also encourage stamina and help them tolerate frustration. Finally, Artsy Thursday might help you learn more about your child. Seeing what they choose to create and how they pick their process might tell you something different about them!

By Jordan Shafer, LCSW (she/ her)

Jordan was a School School Worker for seven years with San Francisco Unified School District, working with children in grades pre-K- eighth grade as well as families and educators. She is highly skilled in supporting children’s mental health, social development, and their wellbeing as flourishing members of their communities. She recently relocated from California to her home state of Connecticut to raise her growing family.