Crayola - Create to Learn New

Non-traditional artists enhance every community’s quality of life by meeting everyday needs while bringing rich cultural traditions to many art forms: bread-making, gardening, hairstyles, home décor, and head coverings, to name just a few. Let’s learn a little about how some of them make their art and how enjoying their artistry teaches us more about the cultural diversity and common needs in our community.

Children use art as a way of learning how words and behaviors impact people. They create Courageous Conversation collages as springboards for dialogue that is important and difficult. Courageous conversations are the hard ones, the deep ones – the discussions about how we have been hurt by others’ words and actions.

In every community, individuals and families pass down their cultural heritage through fables and folktales, the stories that are timeless. In this video, children discover that the arts provide every culture ways to creatively communicate universal values and their community’s specific traditions.

Leadership Mindsets lead people to deeper self and social awareness and responsible decision-making. Leaders who focus on people, culture, results and innovative thought inspire positive change and work effectively with others. This video shows how children can focus on four ways they can be leaders and graphically document their leadership strengths with art.

Children will use their people leadership skills to realize playground needs of those with a range of abilities. They plan adaptation for a city park to include the needs of all and present their plan to City Council decision makers. What adaptations can you imagine that would increase inclusion at a community park?

Leadership Mindsets lead people to deeper self and social awareness and responsible decision-making. Leaders who focus on people, culture, results and innovative thought inspire positive change and work effectively with others. This video shows how children can focus on four ways they can be leaders and graphically document their leadership strengths with art.

Folktales become springboards for exploring new and imagined adventures, as children explore the perspectives and assumptions from several characters’ point of view. In this video, viewers are encouraged to flip stories, by modifying them in ways that add humor or surprise, and help them consider alternative points of view.

Cultural leadership involves listening to many points of view and understanding the role that diverse backgrounds and cultural priorities have on people. In this video the children ask, “What does arts in education mean and why is it important?” They use an open mindset to hear about different preferences and see how cultural traditions help learners connect to ideas and each other.

A key element of stories is how characters change from beginning to middle to end. In this video, children learn about how and why characters change by creating a 3-part story. They then dramatize the story using simple puppets made of three basic shapes and primary colors. These characters change the way they look and act, as a result of encountering one another. Join them to see what happens as they change and grow.

As the population grows and land becomes increasingly valuable, for sale signs invite conversations about the possible uses of fields and farms. Decisions about land use impact communities for a long time, so visualizing the future is important. In this video, an orchard is for sale. The children consider possible future uses for this land, visualize three possibilities, and encourage viewers to come up with ideas of their own.

Architects must think flexibly about the changing needs of school structures and students. In this video the focus will be on designing accessible, inclusive space that fosters future ready skills and behaviors: observation, collaboration, and reflection. Join a group of kids on their creative characters where they plan and then build a 3D model of a future-ready school.

The concept of the brain taking in information and making decisions seems abstract for young children. Helping them realize what it is like to have limited sensory input makes them aware of the brain’s role in connecting what we see, touch, and hear with our understanding of self and others. In this video, the children create sensory muting equipment. They then experience and compare beautiful sounds, tactile objects, and images with and without muting their senses.

Common gestures and formal sign language can be used to communicate kindness and support. In this activity, children draw some American Sign Language and common gestures that make people feel welcome. Their art reminds them and others of the ways gestures help people communicate.

Everyone goes through difficult situations, but art can help you build the resilience you need to control your emotions and make smart decisions.

When we create and play games together, we learn about new things and each other. Let’s create an Emotions Game to learn how to listen and solve problems.

Our communities are full of unsung heroes who work hard to keep things running smoothly. Let’s create a Gratitude Collage to learn about and celebrate their contributions.

When we meet someone new, we form a first impression of them. But art can help us to explore what’s underneath to learn who a person really is.

Change is an important part of life – it’s how we grow as people. Let’s create art that involves intentional and unintentional change and explore how it affects our plans.

Deep, slow breathing can calm children down. This video helps children focus on their breath to relax, stay calm, and get ready for what’s coming next. As children become aware of their breath, they begin to learn self-regulation techniques. Making art that shows their full bodies helps to deepen self-awareness.

Learning how to read body language can help us to interact with the people around us. Let’s create body language brushstroke paintings and then bring them to life through tableau drama.

Some children learn by moving, listening carefully, visually noticing details, using logic, and being aware of others. In this video, they articulate their strengths and notice those that they admire in others. They work in pairs to show ways they can work together by combining their individual styles.

Any event or circumstance can be experienced from more than one point of view. Children explore a storm (snow or rain) from indoors and outdoors to realize that what we see, hear, feel, and remember changes the way we see experiences.

Superheroes help others. Every child has superpowers when they are kind and help one another. In this video the children explore their personal superpowers of kindness and caring that can be used every day to help themselves and others.

A child’s self-awareness of what helps them relax and regroup can be increased when they plan a quiet space where they can observe, connect with their inner thoughts, and reinvigorate their energy. In this video, children create a visual model that juxtaposes their busy pace and quiet spaces, with attention to the sounds, looks, and feeling of quiet spaces.