Recent Childhood Development Theories and Practices

Some easy ideas for young children's Christmas art projects include cutting out shapes appropriate for the holidays and letting them color them, turning their artwork into holiday appropriate decorations, and helping them make projects such as Christmas trees, angels, snowmen, sleds and candy canes.

It has been said that allowing children to just draw without a project may help them learn to be self sufficient and help them become leaders later on. And in this day and age where High Schools have heroin epidemics, we need all the leaders we can get. Forcing children to do specific steps for an art project may in fact hinder self actualization later on. At least that's the theory. Children need to make lots of mud pies growing up in order to mature into happy adults. While we can learn growing up, making time for fairy tales and play is very important for the development of a positive attitude.

With so many children watching mind numbing TV and video games, every chance they get, is it no wonder they no longer play outdoors and get enough exercise through building forts and playing games.

So if you want to encourage a child, let them color or scribble, how ever you see it, and then cut out a season inspired shape that it will look good in. You can take white paper with scribbles and make the trimmings to stockings with it. Or let children color on a green paper and cut out a Christmas tree from it. Also you can let them color on a white paper like a copy paper quality paper and then use another construction paper cut out to go over it to give it a shape such as an angel or snow man.

Some holiday shapes that you might want to do include mittens, sleds, snowmen, snow flakes, Christmas trees, angels, Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, stars, ornaments, etc. It can be very creative working with children. More than just wiping noses and changing diapers. What is most important is that you are calm and serene while working with children. They can do the strangest things, but every day is a wonder for them. And we need to nurture their curiosity and help them explore this world in constructive way.

While structure is good for children, helping them become secure, so is letting them safely explore and learn at their own pace. So many people turn to drugs sex and rock and roll when they become teenagers. Isn't it better that they know a loving God and strive to be good citizens? And helping them grow up secure can really do a lot to help their mental out look instead of forcing them to do everything you say.