Let’s face it, kids are spending A LOT of time at home.  And if you’ve had Disney+ since the beginning, chances are you’ve seen everything on there.  Twice.
 
Did you know drawing isn’t a talent, but rather an acquired skill?  Invest in your child by them the skill of drawing.  Here are five ways you can get an hour to yourself, your kids will increase their creativity and all while spending less.

1. Sign up for a monthly subscription of drawing lessons with Watch Me Draw.  Live classes end up being as little as $1.65 per class.  It’s the Netflix of online art classes.  Except there are live classes, which are then available on-demand as well.  https://watchmedraw.uscreen.io
2. Don’t sign up for an entire session of  drawing classes if you can’t make every class.  Check out 6Crickets online programs.  A lot of the providers allow you to sign up for a single class of a longer session.  https://www.6crickets.com/providerDirectory/US/CA/Manhattan-Beach/Oh%252C-Rio!-Productions-cbf8710b43df3f2c?refer&provider=2431&utm_medium=provider&utm_source=providers
3. Check out drawing classes on YouTube.  There are lots of free resources on YouTube.  Start with this channelhere.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCycGRjUCWXXtUTkBxAfFhmA
4. Buy coloring books and printer paper.  Introduce your child to the art of tracing.  It’s actually a GREAT way to enhance drawing skills.
5. Coordinate a Zoom call with friends and split the cost of a private art instructor.

 
Keep creativity alive, boredom at bay and get more drawing classes for kids while spending less.  Your kids will thank you…and so might your sanity.

​School is out for millions of children nationwide and for the most part, education shifts from the classroom to the internet. While teachers and enrichment programs (such as drawing classes, sculpting classes, chess, etc.) in online learning, parents also play a major role in ensuring that their children not only get a first-rate education, but continue to develop their talents and creativity.
 
Are you struggling to balance your day with supervising your child’s coursework?
 
Try these suggestions for providing the parental guidance and input your child needs.
 
Planning and Preparing 
Your school may have sent your child home with devices and materials for completing their assignments. You’ll still need to provide structure and motivation.
 
Follow these strategies to develop an effective structure: 

1. Schedule your days. Stick to your usual routines as much as possible, including school, “after-school”drawing classes, bedtimes and mealtimes. Let your child know you expect them to log in on time for classes each morning.  Look for online art programs that have consistent scheduling
   
   
2. Arrange your space. Designate an area just for school. It may be a room or a section of the dining room table as long as it’s quiet and comfortable. Stock up on supplies like notebooks, pens, and calculators.
   
   
3. Limit distractions. Ban games and movies during class time. But, keep in mind that some children may learn better with a little background music.
   
   
4. Enjoy recess. Breaks and lunch hours are essential. Serve healthy food and provide lots of fun options for physical exercise.
   
   
5. Be social. How can your child maintain their friendships? Use technology for group study sessions, drawing classes, sculpting projects, board games with friends such as Camping with Sasquatch, video chats, and virtual play dates.
   
   
6. Contact your school. Ask teachers about the most effective way to communicate with them and stay in touch regularly. Find out what resources are available for collaborating with other parents.

 
Basic Study Skills 
Teach your child to learn effectively. Strong study skills will be a valuable asset online, offline, and in their future careers.
 
Strengthen study skills with these techniques: 

1. Give practice tests. Many studies show that testing yourself is one of the most productive ways to learn. Design questions together. Treat quizzes like a game to reduce anxiety.
   
   
2. Conduct reviews. Prepare for tests by going over past material on a regular basis. Your child is more likely to forget their lessons if they cram at the last minute.
   
   
3. Create outlines. Identify key facts and major themes. Building a framework increases reading comprehension and strengthens writing skills. It also encourages critical thinking.
   
   
4. Proofread and edit. Review your child’s completed assignments before they’re submitted. Make revisions together until they’re comfortable doing it on their own.
   
   
5. Evaluate your progress. Give your child constructive feedback. Discuss teacher comments and test results. Ask your child to describe their strengths and weaknesses. Set specific goals like reading a certain number of pages each day or looking up unfamiliar vocabulary words.

 
Passion Projects 
Take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time with your child. Create happy memories and nurture their personal interests.
 
Consider these ideas: 

1. Browse for resources. Even if field trips are on hold, there are vast collections online for any subject your child loves. Delve deeper into dinosaurs or sports nutrition.
   
   
2. Be selective. At the same time, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by your choices. Start out with a few reliable sources or ask your child’s teacher for recommendations. For example, you might want to explore the unlimited sculpting and drawing on-demand drawing classes and sculpting classes offered by Watch Me Draw! and Watch Me Sculpt.
   
   
3. Show enthusiasm. Make learning a fun activity that draws you closer together. Reward your child’s efforts with prizes like stickers or baking their favorite dessert. Hang their artwork on your refrigerator door and applaud when they read you their book reports.

 
While circumstances may change, the importance of education remains the same. Help your child to gain knowledge and skills that will enable them to have a positive impact on the world.
 
Be patient with yourself and stay connected as you make the transition to online learning.

While it's true that some people are born with a creative mind, it doesn't mean that creative thinking can't be learned and developed.
 
You may even believe that you don't have a creative bone in your body, but this simply isn't true. If you weren't capable of some type of creative thinking, you'd be a robot! 
 
Believing In Yourself
 
The first step toward creative thinking is the belief that you can acquire and develop the skill. The truth is that, if you continue to set up a mental roadblock and tell yourself that you can't think creatively, you'll never get past this first step.
 
When you truly believe in yourself, you also open up doors. The possibilities are endless just because you decided to give creative thinking a shot.
 
Developing Creativity
 
In order to foster creativity in your life, start thinking about where you want to apply your newfound creativity. It'll help, at least at first, to have a specific goal instead of the broad goal of just "thinking" creatively overall.
 
You might start with discovering better solutions to common problems at the office, or you might want to broaden your horizons with an artistic goal in your free time.
 
No matter what your goal is, try applying some of these creativity boosting tips:
 
1.Spend time brainstorming. When looking for ideas for a project - or solutions to a challenge - write down everythingthat comes to mind without holding back. Don't worry about logistics or staying organized; just let your mind go free.

• Another form of brainstorming that might be worth a try is free writing: just pick up a pen and let your mind go wild on the topic of your choice. Tell yourself that you can't pause or put the pen down; you must keep writing. You'll be surprised at what you can unload from your brain during a free writing session! 

 
2.Change your surroundings. You may have noticed that your patterns of thinking change when you're in different places. If you find that your mind is stuck, try changing your environment. Go out for some fresh air or hang out in a coffee shop. It may be just what you need in order to discover a new and exciting idea.
 
3.Take notes. Always carry some kind of note taking device with you, whether it's paper or a mobile device. Recordyour ideas as they come to you, no matter where you are at the time. Creative thoughts can come and go, but if you write them down you won't forget them. 
 
4.Research your topics. Even though it may seem boring, you can do some research online. When you do, you'll learn that knowledge is power and it'll enable your brain to get to a place it wouldn't normally have gone.

• Enjoy the journey and always follow your love of learning. Research will always provide you with new angles of thought.

 
Consider Other Perspectives
 
While everyone comes with their own unique set of abilities and opinions, when you develop your creativity, you learn how to come up with new ideas and solve problems from different points of view.
 
No matter what challenge you're faced with, spend time considering the perspective of others. While you might not share the opinion of another, see if you can figure out how or why they have that view. Think about how they feel. Developing this empathy will keep your mind open, which will always foster creativity.
 
And of course there’s always just jumping right in!  Buy some clay and sculpt something.  Grab a pencil and draw something.  Or play a game that helps fuel creativity like What The Film?!
 
When you get into the habit of using these tips often, you'll be pleased to see outbursts of creativity!
 
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Who wouldn't like to be more creative? You might think you have no creativity at all, but that's untrue. You're incredibly creative! You created the life you have, even if it was unintentional. Being creative in a more intentional manner is something that most would find beneficial.

Learn these strategies to release and enhance your creativity:

1. Try new things. Our thoughts and decisions are largely based on our experiences. Start trying new things.

* For example, if you go skydiving or take a Watch Me Sculpt class for the first time, you're bound to have a new perspective on the world.

2. Look to your past. When have you had your best ideas? John Denver stated that he wrote his best songs after performing a stimulating outdoor activity, such as downhill skiing or flying his airplane.

* It's common to experience high levels of creativity when the mind is partially engaged, but still free to roam. Situations like mowing the grass or taking a shower would meet the criteria.

3. Embrace austerity. Life can be way too chaotic. Go camping with nothing but a tent, sleeping bag, and bottle of water. Leave the distractions at home!

4. Focus on finding solutions as you fall asleep. Put your subconscious to work for the eight hours you spend sleeping each night.

5. Change the location. Have you ever noticed that you think the same thoughts in a given location? You think one way at home. At work, your thought processes are different. If you need to be more creative, try someplace different. Spend the afternoon walking in the woods or sitting at the bookstore.

* A change of scenery can allow you to think new, creative thoughts!

6. Choose your moments. While it's unwise to sit back and wait for inspiration to hit, it's possible to apply your creative talents during more appropriate circumstances. If you're sick and grumpy, it's probably a bad time to brainstorm. But you won't know unless you try.

* Take advantage of the periods of time when your mind is clear and alert.

7. Exercise. Many believe that movement and creativity are closely linked. Going for a run or playing a round of golf can help get the creative juices flowing. If you need a brilliant solution, try moving your body more.

8. Stay up late. Removed from the stimulation and clutter of the day, it's possible you'll be more creative in the late hours of the evening. Another possibility is getting up an hour earlier and spending some time in the peace and quiet.

9. Listen to music. Einstein claimed listening to Mozart enhanced his creativity. Consider how different types of music impact your thoughts and emotions. Experiment.

10. Meditate or get a massage. Anything that relaxes your mind can be beneficial to your creativity. Perhaps you're only a nap away from an earth-shattering idea.

11. Practice visualization. Visualize yourself in unique circumstance, but focus on more than the visual aspects. Hear, see, feel, and smell the situation, too.

* Stretching your brain and using it in new ways can enhance your creativity.

There are many ways to double your creativity. It's largely a matter of trial and error to see which methods work for you. Whether you want to write the perfect song or solve a problem at work, having a higher level of creativity can only help.