Education - Parenting Healthy

4 Ways to Express Your Creativity & Uncover Your Inner Artist

Albert Einstein said “knowledge is limited, imagination is endless.” That’s because the genius knew that creativity and artistry are an important part of our world and who we are as human beings. We’re all born with some level of creativity, and we can apply it in so many avenues in our lives.

Creativity is at the core of the things we marvel at in this world. From beautiful songs and sculptures, to couture gowns and good movies, our society is a deep pool of artistry, and we can all tap into it.

Art isn’t just drawing, photography, painting, music or fashion design. There are so many ways to express your creativity and turn your artistic streak into something tangible. If you’re willing to explore your own inner artist, you’ll be surprised at what your own imagination can come up with.

Here are some ways you can use your creative skills to bring a little more joy into the world and uncover your inner Artist.

Digital Art

With so much of our lives existing in the digital space, it’s no surprise that creativity has sprouted there as well. Some of the most talented artists in our world make their creations on computers and tablets. Using tools like Adobe Illustrator, people with a digital skillset can craft something on a screen and create eye-catching, striking and beautiful works of art. If you want to nurture this skill, getting in that kind of software will help tremendously, along with a digital printer and Epson pigment ink so that those great creations can get framed and put up because it truly is art!

Alternatively, your digital art can also become the backgrounds and wallpapers on people’s phones. Some people have even mastered the art of creating the designs that end up on fabric prints! This skill can also be applied to motion graphics which are used in advertising, YouTube videos and in the movies. Tapping into a digital creative skill is relevant and incredibly valuable.

Writing

Some people are really good with words and coming up with really memorable ways of expressing something in written form. Writing is one of the most treasured of creative abilities because it combines so many things. It’s art but it’s also communication and self-expression. Fiction writing isn’t the only way to nurture the craft, non-fiction can be just as powerful a medium of writing that someone might want to explore.

There are many ways to nurture a writing ability – you can read books to expand your vocabulary and take part in writing prompt challenges to get creative juices flowing. The most important thing is falling in love with the process and practice of writing so that you can do it regularly and frequently. If you make it a habit to write, you’ll be able to find your voice, refine your skill and maybe even start working on a blog or a book.

DIY & Crafting

Did you know that sites like Pinterest, YouTube and instagram have thriving DIY and crafting communities? That’s because this creative ability brings together art, creativity, design, upcycling and sometimes skills like carpentry. A person with a knack for crafting and DIY, can look at an old basket, and hack how to turn it into a beautiful pendant light. Where other people see an old and worn piece of furniture, they see potential which can be fulfilled with sandpaper, paint, and a little elbow grease. DIY and crafting have become incredibly popular because they can be applied in so many different ways. The possibilities of what you create are endless, and your skills will continue to grow until you can possibly build a small piece of furniture!

Decor and Design

Some of the world’s most talented creatives spend their time making homes and rooms beautiful. Interior decorating is one of the greatest creative abilities because you actually have a hand in making people’s homes and spaces a joy to spend time in. This is the process of styling a home, setting a vision and mood for the feel each room should have, choosing pieces of furniture along with the accessories and decor elements like rugs, window treatments, artwork and other elements. Nurturing this skill is easy. Try your hand at redecorating an area of your home, and keep doing more projects to continue coming up with new ideas.

We all have access to creativity, and we are all artists in our own right. When we find the creative pursuit that lights us up, the possibilities are endless. We’re also lucky enough to live in a time where we can learn more about our artistry. On sites like Skillshare, there are tons of courses online on creativity; from learning how to edit your own videos to writing more effectively, and even styling a room to make it look better. Don’t be afraid to tap into your own artistry – through creativity, you can do your own part to make this world more beautiful and inspiring.

Education

The Top Tips for Teaching Students About Math

February 9, 2021February 8, 2021 Erin Sluka

If you have a child or student who is struggling to learn math, understand that you are not alone. Math is one of the most challenging topics for children to understand. It takes a dedicated teacher or caregiver to effectively communicate challenging topics in math to their students. No matter whether you are working with elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, or even college students, it is important for you to take a comprehensive approach to your students when it comes to math classes. Fortunately, there are a few tips that you can follow to better communicate math topics to your students.

Take Advantage of Technology

First, you need to take advantage of all of the resources at your disposal. Even though there is always going to be a place for the chalkboard, there are other resources available as well. For example, you may want to take advantage of i-Ready math and i-Ready answers that can make it easier for your students to remain engaged with challenging topics. Furthermore, there are even games that your students can play to learn some of the most challenging topics in math classes. Particularly for younger students, they may pay attention better if they think of math as a game. By holding the attention of your students, they will better understand the topics at hand.

Try to Leverage Hands-On Lessons

It is also a good idea to use a hands-on lesson. There is only so much that students are going to learn if all of their lessons are placed on the whiteboard. Even though there is a time and place for the whiteboard, it can also be helpful for students to learn math topics in other ways as well. For example, you may want to use food to communicate addition and subtraction. You can even roll a math lesson into snack time. Ask the students how many pieces they have. Then, ask them to subtract a few pieces by eating them and ask them how many pieces they have left. This will keep your students engaged and help them understand an important concept.

Try To Use Math To Tell a Story

One of the most common criticisms that students have is that they feel like they are never going to actually use math in the real world. Of course, they are young, and they do not realize just how integral math is to their everyday life. Therefore, think about using math to tell a story. That way, you will be able to provide students with a real-life example of just how important math can be. When they understand that they are going to need to use math to make it through their everyday life, they are more likely to pay attention to the lessons at hand.

Always Provide Quick Feedback

Your students are going to have a hard time paying attention if they do not understand if they are doing well or not. Even though you probably have a lot of students to teach, try to provide your students with instant feedback. If there is something that they are doing wrong, try to correct it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, your students are going to carry these errors through all of their problems, leading to a significant source of frustration. Let your students know when they are doing well also. Sometimes, students feel like they are only noticed when they are doing something wrong. Make sure to keep their spirits up by complimenting them when they do something right.

Use These Tips To Teach Students Effectively

Even though it can be challenging teaching students about math, they are among the most important concepts that they are going to learn in school. Take advantage of all of the resources at your disposal and try to keep your students interested. When you provide your students with regular feedback regarding how they are doing, they are more likely to be persistent. It can be challenging to get students to enjoy math. Don’t give up. Take a well-rounded approach to your lessons and watch your students excel.

Education, Parenting

Parent Entrepreneurs: How To Succeed At Juggling A Business With A Family

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021 Erin Sluka

The entrepreneurial spirit has never been so strong in the U.S., with more than 25 million Americans either running or starting their own businesses. While small businesses are important to the U.S. economy and workforce, it may seem a daunting prospect to juggle parenting with owning a business. However, as a parent, you will have already had to develop military organization skills and boundless energy reserves, which are ideal for parent entrepreneurs. Concentrating your efforts on creating structure and routine, and being intentional with your time, will help you grow your business in a way that works in harmony with your family.

Work smarter, not harder

If you are one of the 582 million entrepreneurs worldwide, and you’re also a parent, you will have far more demands on your time than the average person. To successfully juggle it all, you will need to be disciplined and focused. This means working smarter. Look for systems and processes that can be automated or run more efficiently. Automating tasks and even outsourcing and delegating less important responsibilities will give you more time to spend on the more valuable business tasks, and have more quality time to spend with your family.

Protect Your Business And Your Family

However small it is, your company should have business insurance to protect the livelihood you’ve worked so hard to build. It will help cover the costs associated with liability claims and property damage. If you have employees, you must have workers’ compensation insurance in case a worker is injured. If you don’t, then you risk facing a huge fine penalty. If you don’t have staff, you may want to consider a workers’ compensation ghost policy instead. This is an affordable type of workers’ compensation coverage designed for business owners who don’t have employees but are required to show proof of workers compensation coverage by a client or as a legal requirement of your state.

Protect Your Time

The word ‘no’ isn’t always easy to say to clients or family members. However, sometimes saying the word ‘no’ in your personal and professional life is important in achieving a healthy work and life balance. It may mean that there are times you have to decline work offers or negotiate deadlines with your client to attend a family function or just be home in time to put your children to bed. Likewise, there may be times that you have to work late or miss a family event. Try not to feel bad about it: after all, you are working to help give your family a great future.

Having children doesn’t mean you have to abandon your goals of running a business. By learning how to work smarter and protecting your business and your work and personal time, you can look forward to enjoying the best of both worlds.

Education, Kids

7 Reasons Why Music Is Important For Kids (And How To Get Them Into It)

January 13, 2021July 8, 2023 Erin Sluka

As parents, we all want what is best for our children. We want to ensure that their mental, physical and emotional well-being is all developing strength as they grow. For the most part, kids will find their own way towards enjoying music, especially in their teenage years – although, as parents, we may not always favor their tastes! But learning how to play an instrument is where the real developmental benefits lay. Here’s why music is important for kids.

7 Reasons Why Music Is Important For Kids (And How To Get Them Into It) — Photo by Will Francis on Unsplash

1. It improves their brainpower

The health benefits of music for children have been scientifically proven, and one particular benefit is in the improvement of their overall brainpower and memory capabilities. According to a 2016 study conducted by the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California, musical experiences in childhood can accelerate brain development, particularly when it comes to reading skills and the acquisition of language. It is widely understood that music helps to stimulate the parts of the brain that are responsible for math, reading and even emotional development.

Different instruments have been shown to offer specific benefits, too. For example, studies have shown that drumming develops the motor planning functions of the brain, essentially allowing for quicker and more efficient exchanges of information between the hemispheres of the brain. When it comes to playing the piano, one of the primary benefits is strengthening the brain’s capacity for split concentration – reading music, using both hands and working the pedals is a lot to do at once and significantly sharpens multitasking and concentration skills.

2. It can build their confidence

Particularly if you have a timid child or one who seems low in self-confidence, learning how to play an instrument can be very helpful. Once they realize that they can successfully develop a skill on their own, it can really boost their confidence and improve their belief in themselves and in what is possible. Furthermore, as their diligence results in even more improvement, both their confidence and their sense of self-determination can grow.

3. It can inspire creativity

Musicians are arguably some of the most creative people out there, and with music, there are also a variety of creative paths to take. Whether your child sticks to playing one instrument or several, or perhaps becomes interested in lyric writing or audio production – the options are vast and exploring one’s inner creative streak is celebrated. This can significantly benefit them as they grow into dynamic, artistic, and/or entrepreneurial adults.

4. It can help them to develop social skills

It’s common for children to experience challenges when it comes to adapting socially and as parents, it’s therefore prudent to encourage extra-curricular activities that promote socialization. Many music-based activities involve group work – choirs, school bands etc., all have a wonderful sense of collaboration and cooperation. These experiences help children to develop social skills – in how they relate to others, to both work under and assume leadership and discipline, as well as how to enjoy and appreciate team-based achievements and rewards.

5. It teaches them discipline

Successfully acquiring a musical skill requires discipline and lots of patience. They will need to practice regularly whether they always like it or not, especially when it comes to a group relying upon their improvement. This teaches children the importance of following through and recognizing that, in order to improve, they must put the time and effort in.

6. It is great for self-expression

Self-expression is vital in nurturing a sense of self, of creativity, of enhanced communication skill, and even a strong sense of identity. It is so important to foster a great sense of expressive freedom in children to ensure that they grow into more self-assured and expressive adults. For children who exhibit signs of overt shyness, music can be particularly freeing and beneficial in giving them new ways with which to open up.

7. It teaches them patience

Working within any group or band requires patience. If your child is involved with a choir or other musical group, they will have to regularly wait patiently for either the leader to signal them to play, or for other group members who interrupt with challenges or questions. Through these experiences, they will learn not only the virtues of patience, but also what wonderful outcomes are possible when everyone works together patiently.

How to get your child involved in music

So, we’ve established all the wonderful benefits, but how do we get our children interested in music?

Buy an instrument and set up some lessons – there is no guarantee that they will fall in love with that particular instrument, but if you show interest and make it fun and inclusive it’s quite possible. Make sure the instrument is child-friendly though, as some will require smaller versions, like junior drumming sets, for example.

Find the right teacher – this can be harder than it sounds, but it’s so important to keep children engaged long-term by ensuring that their teacher is a good fit for them and one who can keep it engaging and fun.

Make music a way of life – you may not be a musician yourself, but that doesn’t stop you from playing a variety of music, dancing, singing and taking your children to watch live music!