All work and no play makes… well, you know the rest.

It’s easy to take for granted how hard kids work at school. They’re exerting brain energy consistently for five or six hours a day––reading comprehension, math, writing, memorizing, analyzing etc. Not to mention, they’re under constant pressure from teachers to produce work, to excel on quizzes, to finish projects.

Thank goodness for recess.

Lots of studies have shown a correlation between recess/physical activity and kids doing better with academics. But recess isn’t just to give kids a break from work and help them in the classroom. It’s a time they get to move their bodies, practice coordination, use their imagination, be creative, and socialize. And if your kids are in full remote learning or hybrid, they’re most likely missing out on recess-type activities. Lots of athletic teams and clubs have been cancelled. In-person enrichment classes, as well. Play dates have been limited.  And on top of that, they’re staring at a screen for most of the day.

Ugh…

We need to help our kids find a balance of education/learning and fun/creative endeavors. Said another way, they should have opportunities each day to play. Of course, physical activity is very important. Throughout the day, they should be getting outside to run, jump, throw, bounce, skip, climb, whatever. But exercising their creative muscles should also be on the agenda.

Maybe after they finish their work, they could start their own comic book––writing a story and drawing the pictures. They could even scan in their pictures to the computer and use PowerPoint or Google Slides to lay out the pages.

How about making a movie? Kids don’t need video cameras to make movies anymore. They can use phone or tablet cameras, and most computers come with free editing software (e.g. iMovie) or you could download editing apps to your phone or tablet.

What about Legos or puzzles or Chess after dinner? Dungeons & Dragons has made a big comeback! And that game has so many creative components.

The point here is that this is an opportunity for kids to follow their interests or try out new art forms and hobbies. Encourage them to do that! Help facilitate technology or get them materials they need.

Obviously, their school work is important, but given their time stuck at home and staring at screens, let’s make sure they’re engaging with their creative, active selves, as well. Let’s make sure they have recess at home.

In other words…

Let them play!

Stay tuned for more information about upcoming Shine In Art Moves programs! Our Drawing & Painting workshop starts 01/11/21, but there’s still time to register. Learn more.