When I was seven, the very thought of reading gave me severe anxiety. 

This would probably shock anyone who knows me today because,  as an adult, I’m a total bibliophile. I have way too many books and am reading anytime I get a chance. I even have a (somewhat impractical) MA in English.  As much as reading was once a source of dread for me, it is now one of the things I enjoy most.

 The love of reading has shaped so many other things about my life, too. It’s helped me understand different kinds of people and different ways of thinking, and it’s given me a love for learning that I can’t envision possessing, had my childhood self not changed her ways. 

So what caused the big change? What turned me into a reader? 

It all started with my parents’ decision to homeschool me. 

My mom knew that I loved being read to, so she believed that I could become someone who loved to read for myself. She also saw how my struggle with ADD impacted my learning style. Taking these things into account, her efforts to help me engage in reading through homeschooling were totally successful. This, in turn, has made all the difference in my life. 

Today, as a new homeschooling parent,  I hope to be as successful in teaching my daughter as my mom was with me. However, the task feels intimidating. I imagine that it is even more overwhelming to those who are totally new to the world of homeschooling. 

Interestingly, the reason that homeschooling can be so overwhelming is the same reason it is so appealing in the first place. There is such an incredible amount of freedom and flexibility in this form of education. It’s wonderful to have so many choices and be able to personalize learning for your child. However, for many, it’s hard to know how to start homeschooling because there seems to be no set way to do it.

There can be a constant internal stream of blaring questions and insecurities, like: 

• Am I going to mess my child up by this decision? 

• What will my family and friends think? 

• Is this really going to help him/her learn more effectively? 

• Is my child going to be miserable?

• Am I going to be miserable? 

• I’m not qualified to teach.

• I don’t know where to begin.

If you are a new homeschooling parent and have these doubts running through your brain, you’re in the right place.  In this article, I’m not going to tell you how to homeschool, or even whether you should homeschool (because no one knows your life and your family better than you do). Instead, I want to share with you 5 essential tips that will help you get you started on your own, personal homeschooling journey. 

1. Understand Your “Why.”

“Finding your why,” is a hot topic of discussion today, whether you are starting a new business, pursuing a change of career, or making any kind of life-changing decision.

Your “why” is more than just a goal or even a set of goals. It’s the reason that directs your path, as well as the force that keeps you powering onward.

Choosing to homeschool is a major life decision that affects both homeschooling parents as well as our children.  It definitely comes with its own challenges: from the personal (will you and your children clash in an educational setting?) to financial (often, the choice to homeschool affects at least one parent’s career). It’s therefore absolutely critical to map out your “why” as you get ready to start homeschooling.

The Foundation

Despite the many different ways to homeschool successfully, I think that most homeschooling parents start out with a similar mindset.

1. The basic belief: we, as parents, know our children better than anyone and are also more committed than anyone to give them the best educational experience to meet their needs.
2. The basic goal: to engage our children in learning in a way that fosters their academic and personal growth to the greatest extent possible.

I think this is really at the heart of every homeschooling parent’s reason for choosing this lifestyle.

But is it a “why?”

Well…not quite. However, it can be an important starting place for discovering your why.

Four Elements of Your “Why”

This article in Forbes discusses the importance of figuring out your “why”  in the realm of business, highlighting four questions that you can ask yourself to discover it. These four questions relate to the following:

• Passions
• Skills and Expertise 
• Values 
• Talents

As a new homeschooling parent,  you can also look at your approach to homeschooling in light of these four areas.  Grab a notebook and write down your goals for homeschooling in light of each topic. How do you plan to consider your/ and your child’s: passions, skills, values, and talents in your homeschool journey? Brainstorming about this will help you define your specific why and begin to set practical goals.

I would also look at this list in consideration of the child (or children) being homeschooled:

•  Strengths (and weaknesses to be overcome)
• Talents or interests
• Social Needs 
• What values does the child already have?
• What values would you, as a parent, like to instill?

2. Apply Your “Why.”

Considering all of these factors will help you understand your why and how it may be applied in a homeschool setting. Once you’ve evaluated your passions, strengths, and potential challenges in homeschooling, you should be able to define your why in a more practical way and think about how you will meet your goals.

From looking back on my personal experience as a homeschooler, I am able to clearly see my mom’s why: to foster a love of reading in me. This would, in turn, support me as a student in every subject.  As a creative person, she used her skillset to engage me in books through using art projects and crafts that related to the stories we were reading. She also brought my interests into the equation by selecting novels that she knew I would like.

You see how it all begins to connect?

Each homeschool family’s “why” is going to look different, but once you’ve figured yours out, it should give you some clear priorities in your homeschooling journey, and some ideas about how you will invest in those priorities.

Especially if you write everything down, this can be a great first step in mapping out your homeschool journey.

Two Examples of “Whys” and Practical Applications

A very organized homeschooling parent has a child with an interest in social activities, space, and science.

• That homeschool parent’s “why” might be to invest in their child’s love of science and give them opportunities they might not have in public school, while also meeting that child’s social needs.
• A practical application for that parent might be to foster their child’s love of science through organizing a homeschool science club that gets to do things like go on weekly field trips or take a road trip to one of the nation’s space centers.

A homeschooling parent is skilled in the kitchen and values creativity.  That parent has a child who is a talented artist but struggles in math.

•  The “why” in this situation might be the homeschool parent’s desire to cultivate a creative learning environment that engages the student in math and allows him/her more time and opportunities to pursue an interest in art.
• A practical application would be to use a creative means, like baking or cooking, to engage the student in math. Additionally, the parent could make the child’s interest and skills in art a priority by investing in private art classes and/or professional online courses such as those that are offered by Sparketh.

3. Find Your Tribe.

So now you hopefully better understand the driving “why” behind your decision to homeschool and have some ideas about how you will keep your “why” central in your homeschooling journey.  You may feel excited to get started, but there’s a chance you may also feel a little bit afraid.

The potential time commitment involved may be scary for one thing, especially if you work in addition to homeschooling.  Likewise, the financial investment may seem frightening if you’ve given up a job to commit to homeschooling.  Another looming factor is the dreaded “mom guilt:” the prominent cultural phenomenon of feeling like you are constantly letting your kids down in some critical way, no matter how hard you try.  Unfortunately, the duel responsibility of parenting + schooling can mean that this “parental guilt” can be doubly strong in homeschooling moms (and homeschooling dads, too!)

However, one really important thing for homeschool parents to keep in mind when facing inevitable moments of guilt and uncertainty is this: you are not alone.

A well-known African proverb states that: “It takes a village to raise a child.” Many people think that this concept favors a public school education. In reality, every successful homeschooling family has its own village, made up of members who have been intentionally and thoughtfully chosen for their ability to support, mentor and educate.

There are several different places you can look at when finding the tribe (or village) that will help you and your family succeed in your homeschool journey. Here are just a few of them!

Family

Your own family can be a built-in network of support as you get started with homeschooling.  Consider calling upon family members to share their knowledge of special topics,  come along on field trips or road trips, or provide childcare if you need some extra time to lesson-plan.

Online Communities

Online communities can also be a valuable resource for parents who are just getting started.  There are a lot of homeschool parent groups on Website forums and on social media platforms like Facebook. These can be a great source of emotional and practical support. There are also many communities online for homeschool students!  When searching for a supportive online community, try looking for groups that share your (or your children’s) values and interests.

Online Learning

Another concern when homeschooling is, of course, what to do if you feel incapable of teaching your child in a particular subject?  Online learning and online teachers can be one valuable resource in this situation.

Online courses can be great for laying down the groundwork of an academic subject that homeschool parents may struggle with.  Parents are then free to add to learning via engaging supplement activities! Plus, a lot of online learning resources come with built-in communities for students and parents!  This article gives some great tips about how to utilize online learning effectively. 

You can find more than basic academic instruction online, too. For example, Sparketh offers unlimited access to high-quality, online art classes via video-instruction by real artists.  All of these art courses could be available to your homeschooled student. As someone who lives in a rural area, this is definitely the kind of resource that I value!

Extracurricular Activities

When I was a homeschooler, I took ballet classes most nights of the week. I even taught some morning classes to the youngest dancers to help pay for my own classes. In addition to helping me pursue one of my passions, this also taught me responsibility. One of the best things about a homeschool lifestyle is that it allows students to more fully explore their passions and interests and get a lot of real life experiences, too!

Extracurricular activities also allow homeschooling parents and homeschooling students to connect with others who share some of the same interests and values. Try to get to know people you meet through extracurricular involvement such as sports, the arts, or church. These people can be awesome friends and mentors that add enrichment to your family’s homeschool experience and to your life, as well.

Homeschool Co-ops

Co-ops allow you to connect with other homeschooling families in your area! These groups can be a great way to help share the load of teaching (many co-ops offer classes taught by homeschool parents who are strong in a particular academic area) and also for you, the homeschooling parent, to find a network (tribe) who gets your “why.”  This is also a great option for giving your homeschooled child (or children) an additional social outlet.  If you are new to homeschooling, you may be surprised to find that there is a homeschool co-op in your area that you were never aware of before!

4. Plan your Homeschool Lifestyle

If you’re reading this, then you’ve already begun this step! Research is key when starting any new and unfamiliar endeavor, and transitioning to the homeschool life is no different. It’s important for you to enter the situation with a clear idea of how you envision your homeschool lifestyle.  (If you go into homeschooling without this idea in place, the kids are going to run the school). Here are some topics you might want to consider.

• Different Homeschooling Methods: while there are many different ways to homeschool successfully, these 10 methods are some of the most common. Read them and think about which one seems like the best fit for you and your child/children.
• Daily Schedule: Are you a night person or morning person? How about your child/children? Since you don’t have to be anywhere at 8 a.m. you get to make up the rules. Many homeschool families do chores, errands, and extracurriculars in the morning, starting school after lunch. Some let their children sleep until they naturally wake up, then get started on school. Others follow a more traditional schedule. Whatever your method, you may want to assert it from the beginning.
•  Role Models:  Connect with homeschool parents who demonstrate the kind of instruction style/lifestyle that you’d like to have.  You will likely meet these people at co-ops or even in your homeschool online communities.  Don’t be scared to reach out to some of the homeschool parents you admire. You may be surprised how often they are happy to help or offer tips.
• Learn about Some Amazing Homeschoolers: From science prodigies to famous athletes, there are some truly amazing individuals who credit homeschooling with at least part of their success. Learning about some of these amazing homeschoolers will encourage you and help inspire your child/children (Here are a few to get you started).

5. Trust Yourself.

In planning your transition to homeschooling, it’s crucial that you trust yourself. You’ve made the decision to homeschool, at least in part, with the belief that you know your child/children and what they need better than anyone else. While it can be tempting to let the doubt creep in, remind yourself of the reasons you chose this path to begin with.

If you find that your confidence levels are still a little low, it might help you to read some of these research facts about homeschoolers and homeschool learning outcomes.

 Highlights from the Above Resource:

• Homeschool students consistently score higher than public school students on standardized tests.
• On average, homeschoolers also score higher on the SAT and ACT.
• Homeschoolers typically ranked above average on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development.
• Research indicates that girls who are homeschooled demonstrate a greater sense of self in their teen years.
• Homeschooled students attend and complete college at an equal or higher rate than the general population.
• As adults, homeschooled individuals are more likely to serve their community than their non-homeschooled peers.

And finally…

• All of this has nothing to do with whether or not the homeschool parents were ever certified teachers, with either parent’s level of education, or with the family’s income.

Even if you question your own background and abilities, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be successful. If you believe that homeschooling is the right choice for you and your child… trust yourself!

As you start your homeschool journey, remember to define and apply your “why,” to find a tribe that will support you, to plan your homeschool lifestyle and to trust yourself and your unique homeschool journey.  Best wishes, new homeschooling parents!  

Do you have additional tips for new homeschooling parents? Feel free to leave them in the comments below! 

The post 5 Essential Tips for New Homeschooling Parents appeared first on Sparketh.

Today, many of us are equipped with Smartphones that can take sharper, brighter (and more flattering) photographs than the fanciest cameras of the previous decade. In fact, thanks to our phone cameras, we are actually living in the most documented time in history! 

In light of our modern capabilities, one form of art that may not be quite as understandable to the youngest generation is portraiture.  

Why do portraits matter?

I’m not talking about photography here (although photography and portrait photography are certainly art forms as well). Thanks to our access to various media, and our interest in the imagery of famous people, I think that many of us can appreciate well-done and interesting photoshoots and portrait photography. 

For the purposes of this article, I’m mainly talking about portraits in terms of paintings or drawings intended to capture a person’s likeness. This is an art form that many people may be able to appreciate, but not quite understand the relevance of, in today’s world.

However, whether you are a professional artist, a student of art, an art teacher, or just a regular, “non-artsy” person, there are some very important reasons that old-school portraits actually matter a lot, especially in the “selfie,” world of today. Here are four reasons why you should stop and look at (or stop and create) a portrait today.

1. Portraits are Living History

One of my favorite things about using art to study history is that it gives us an authentic, direct glimpse into times past. Portraits from long ago give us unique insights into those who lived before us: not just how they dressed or looked, but also what the artists of the time valued enough to observe and capture. In a way, portraits are like time-capsules, packed with insights of the past.

While the style and subjects chosen for portraits have shifted greatly over the years, the truth remains that the artist will usually strive to capture something that is striking about the subject.

Thinking about portraits in this way can give us some interesting insights. 

For instance, look at the painting below, the infamous Madame X by John Singer Sargent. The portrait’s subject, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau, was wealthy and well-known for her beauty. In fact, that’s probably why the artist wanted to paint her.

However, Sargent’s painting does much more than depict a pretty woman. Instead, Sargent takes something striking – and unseen- about his subject and brings it to the viewer’s attention.

Madame X  (1884) by John Singer Sargent

Many consider this painting to be the epitome of “a study of contrasts.” Virginie was known for her pale, white skin. Gautreau drew attention to this feature by painting the soft paleness of Virginie’s skin in stark contrast to her dark hair and the deep black, structured gown she wears. 

However, Sargent also seems to capture certain aspects of Virginie’s personality in the portrait that seem at odds with her physical beauty. He conveys her as vain and more than a  little bit scandalous: not nearly as beautiful on the inside as the outside (certainly not by the standards in those days).

How do we get all of this?

Her dress is much more revealing than befitted a lady of her time and status, her pose is proud and disdainful. These hints at character flaws play out in stark symbolic contrast to the subject’s idealized beauty. 

While it is considered to be one of history’s most famous portraits today, it was pretty shocking for the time period in which it was created.  From simply viewing and considering Madame X, we get a wealth of insight into the subject, the artist, and the values of the time period.

2. Portraits Reflect our Changing View of Mankind.

Through studying famous portraits throughout history, and especially by comparing them to each other, we can also observe history’s ever-changing perspectives about mankind’s role in the world. 

It’s pretty fascinating to see how big changes in portraiture (and their corresponding artistic movements) usually go hand-in-hand with ground-shaking historical event and societal changes. 

Studying portraits can even help reveal how, throughout history, one strong viewpoint often inspires an opposite stance.  The two examples below do a good job of showing this!

Romanticism: Defining Mankind as the Visionary

Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (1818)–Caspar David Friedrich

This portrait by German artist Caspar Friedrich shows a lone man contemplating the foggy vista before him. This image perfectly represents what we now know as The Romantic Era (the art movement known as “Romanticism”.)

As you might guess from the name, Romanticism offered a pretty dreamy view of mankind. 

Poets, artists, philosophers, and writers of this time perceived mankind as solitary, creative, emotional, and visionary. This time period also viewed nature and dreams as powerful, communicative, and sometimes even prophetic. The mood of this work definitely reflects a contemplative, quest-like view of mankind’s role, with an emphasis on man’s place in the natural world. 

Like Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, many portraits of the Romantic Era depict the subject as special, dramatic, and even heroic.

The settings are often special, too: dream-like, beautiful, or on a grand or supernatural scale. Therefore it is very interesting that –directly on the tail of the Romanticism Art Movement, a completely opposite portrayal of mankind developed: Realism.

Realism: Defining Mankind by Daily Action

The Gross Clinic (1875)—Thomas Eakins

The Realism movement in art came right after the Romanticism movement and is often seen as a direct rebellion against it. Whereas Romanticism gives an idealized view of man, Realism took the opposite approach and focused on- (again, you can probably guess it from the name) – the real.  

Often this involved the portrayals of ordinary people doing mundane, pedestrian or even ugly tasks, such as in the portrait above-showing surgeons at work. Mankind’s role in the world is therefore defined by daily action–the ordinary things of everyday life.

As you can see, portraits do more than just depict individuals–they give us a greater, more general understanding of mankind and the various ways we’ve understood our own value over the course of history.  Portraits matter because they show us where we came from and how we’ve changed.

3. Portraits Show Us How Art Influences Culture

We’ve talked about how portraits can reflect the values of a time period, and how they can even provide insight into how/why those values change throughout history. However, there is another crucial component to the art and society/culture relationship that we haven’t discussed yet.

 Portraits don’t just reflect changes to society; sometimes they help ignite them, too.

This isn’t just true for portraits, of course. Many art forms (and subjects) are capable of influencing culture. In fact, one of the measures of good art is: does it challenge the way we’re used to thinking about things?

However, what’s unique about portraits is that they do this in a way that everyone can understand. Everyone relates to a portrait. Everyone can connect with an image of another human being. When we gaze at portraits, we are automatically challenged to figure out how these representations are the same- or different- from ourselves.

In other words, when we look at a portrait, we look for connection. That connection, when we find it and explore it, can catapult new ideas. New ideas, in turn, can spark societal changes.

 For example, look at this famous self-portrait by Edvard Munch, “The Scream.”

The Scream (1893)–Edvard Munch

 This Impressionistic self-portrait by Munch ignores realistic physical details. Instead, it is entirely focused on emotion. It’s a portrait of the interior, rather than the exterior, which reveals the artist’s own anxious and horror-stricken psychological state. This was an incredibly bold and influential concept at the time of the portrait’s rendering– when psychology was still regarded as a fairly new science and mental illness considered something that should be kept a secret.

Today, we openly discuss psychological distress and mental health. Perhaps we owe some of the credit for this to artists like Munch who were among the first to openly depict this once-avoided facet of life. This is merely one example of one way that act may encourage the ideas and questions that ultimately help change entire cultural conversations.

4. Portraits Push Us Towards Connection.

Let’s go back to talking about selfies for just a minute. While they may arguably capture the beauty ideals of our current era (hello Insta-filters), and they can help us remember moments of our lives, selfies don’t challenge anything about how we can or should see the world around us.

Selfies are usually 100% surface value, and as the name would indicate, they are self-oriented. They don’t teach us anything. They don’t connect us to new or unfamiliar ideas.

I’m not saying all of this to attack the selfie. However, I do think that we live in a selfie world, and it would be truly sad if that became the documentation that defined our time culture. 

And that’s why we need art, and portraits in particular. Because, portraits–whether of someone else or ourselves–help us to make connections. Portraits show us how to connect with historical figures and movements, and they can even connect us with our own perception of others, or of ourselves (such as in Munch’s The Scream). When we study a portrait, or create one, we look for those connections I mentioned earlier–differences, similarities, challenges. 

Questions, too, are often part of that connection.

In a portrait, even something like a lingering question, or a glaring uncertainty, can connect us better with the work of art, its subject,  the mindset of the artist, other viewers and our own consciousness. 

When you think of a portrait that inspires a question, your mind might go to the same work of art that mine does:  Leonardo Di Vinci’s infamous oil portrait, Mona Lisa. 

Mona Lisa (1503)–Leonardo Di Vinci.

This painting has been dubbed the most valuable in the world and is often considered to be the most famous, as well.

The reason? Mona Lisa is a universal mystery.

Viewing this painting leaves viewers puzzling over the subject’s enigmatic smile and the way her eyes seem to watch you, no matter where you stand. When we see this painting, we wonder about the subject: How she was feeling? What she was thinking?

 Mona Lisa is an unanswered question for the generations, connecting us all. 

In our selfie world, portraits matter more than ever. It’s vital that we take time to look at, appreciate -and even create- portraits every once in a while. Portraits connect us to our past: to people not so different from us, but living in very different times. They show us how our ideas have changed and grown. They encourage us to analyze and to question.

Ultimately, I think that the habit of studying people through the filter of art grounds us in this knowledge: while we all connected by the bonds of humankind, we all have things to learn from that connection.

At Sparketh, we encourage a community that can learn about art in its various forms. We also believe that anyone can, and should be able, to foster any creative skills that they desire. Here, you’ll find numerous courses, taught by professional artists, that teach art in a variety of mediums, including this whole series on how to create portraits in a variety of art styles. So take a few minutes today. Put down that camera phone, and look at – or create your own- portrait. It matters.

Written by Kathryn Gustafson

The post Why Do Portraits Matter? appeared first on Sparketh.

Sparketh’s online art classes have been such a great resource for my daughter this summer. Over the past year, it’s been awesome to see my daughter reach an age where she can start using Sparketh‘s online art classes independently and loving them (she is almost seven.)

As a work-from-home parent, online art classes have also made it easier for me to find life/work balance in the summer season, when our family has been on a less structured schedule. Online art classes are something I feel great about my daughter doing when my attention is needed elsewhere– not just because she enjoys them, but also because art has so many powerful benefits for kids!

If you’re looking for something fun, (semi) structured, and educational for your kids to do this summer, you really can’t go wrong with online art classes for kids. Here are a few reasons that summer is the best time to start Sparketh’s online art classes!

1. Online Art Classes Offer Fun, Structure and Independence 

The structure of any kind of classes can be great (for both kids and parents) during semi-aimless summer months, but Sparketh’s online classes also give kids the opportunity to learn how to draw or paint what they want, in the styles that appeal to them most.

Sparketh‘s courses are also self-paced, which means that your child can complete 1 course per hour, or day, or week (you get the idea.) Courses also range according to level of difficulty. Some days your kid or teen may want to do a longer, more involved course and other days they may want to do something quick, fun and easy. The blend of structure and independence that comes from Sparketh’s online art classes can be a great way to offer your child both structure and independence…doing something they’ll love!

2. Online Art Classes Have Mental & Emotional Benefits

Regularly practicing art is the perfect way to keep those creative and critical thinking skills active this summer (all while keeping things fun!). Check out these article on How Art Supports Good Mental Health in Kids and Teens and Students Need Art: Here are 10 Reasons Why to learn about some of the amazing mental & emotional benefits of art for kids and teens.

Just to give you a quick summary, some of the mental and emotional benefits of consistent art practice include increased:

• Self-awareness and self-expression
• Confidence
• Regulation of emotions
• Communication skills
• Critical and creative thinking skills
• Focus
• Self-confidence

Essentially, online art classes can help make art a regular habit for your kids because they are available as often as your child would like to learn! This can have some pretty powerful long-term benefits: mentally and emotionally.

3. Online Art Classes are a Portable and Cost Effective Alternative to Traditional Art Classes (Perfect for Summer)

One thing that students (and parents) love about Sparketh’s online art classes is their portability. If you have a laptop, a tablet, or even a smartphone, you can take your art classes “to go.” This is especially great during summer, when travel plans would disrupt traditional art classes.

Sparketh is also a LOT less expensive than traditional art classes. Many people don’t realize that each Sparketh membership comes with two individual student accounts, which keep up with student courses and portfolios. This makes it even more affordable for families with two (or more) children who are interested in art.

The portability and affordability of Sparketh’s online art classes is a perfect fit for summer. While you want your kids to be engaged and learning, you also likely want the ability to take some trips this summer!

4. It’s Something Your Whole Family Can Enjoy to Make Summer Memories

I already mentioned that each Sparketh membership comes with two student accounts. Each of these accounts keep track of which courses students have completed, and gives that child an online portfolio for his or her artwork/progress.

However, as a parent, I’ll admit that I also love sitting down with my daughter to complete a Sparketh online art class, together! It’s a really fun way for us to do something creative together (that requires zero planning on my end.) Doing art together as a family is seriously just so relaxing, and it’s a great way to make memories together.

Of course, anytime of year is a great time to get creative, relax, and make memories. I’m not saying summer is the only time you can or should do these things— just that it’s a good time to do them!

5. Summer is the Perfect Time for Your Child to Dive Into His or Her Passion for Art!

During the school year, kids are busy learning a huge variety of subjects. Summer can be the best opportunity for kids to learn more about something that they are interested in!

Most parents are drawn to  Sparketh because they have kids and teens who want to learn more about art.  The online course library offers a variety of classes which can help kids discover more about different art techniques and styles in an easy to follow, step-by-step approach.

These summer months are the best time to help your child dive into something he or she loves! And if art is something your child loves, Sparketh is an awesome, self-paced, portable, non-intimidating way to learn more about it!

If you’ve been thinking about trying out Sparketh’s online art classes for your kids, summer is a great time to get started. There’s really no better time to see how it works for you and your kids.  Plus, you can currently get the first 30 days of your membership for free! (What better time to try Sparketh for free than summer, when your child has more free time than usual?)

Click here to check out Sparketh’s 30 Days Free Offer.

The post Try Online Art Classes This Summer! appeared first on Sparketh.

Many families enjoy their own traditions this time of year: recipes reserved especially for Thanksgiving, crafts, lists of things to be grateful for, outdoor sports, etc.

When I was growing up, my mom was always really great about coming up with a fun art project that the kids in my family could do as we waited for the turkey to cook. To this day, I can still remember those fun, simple art projects, and the quality time I spent working on them with my cousins. More often than not, a few of my adult relatives would join in on the fun before we were finished!

If you are looking for some fun, art projects to do with your family this week,  Sparketh has some great options that would be perfect for all ages and skill-levels. You could use these at an extended family gathering on Thanksgiving, or with your own kids sometime earlier in the week. We also have a gratitude-themed art contest going on throughout the holidays in our free Sparketh Community! 

First, we have this Simple Turkey tutorial that may remind you of nostalgic turkey art you did as a child. However, this fun turkey tutorial takes the classic turkey drawing one step further to help you create a comical, cartoon-version of the classic “hand-based turkey.” This would definitely be a fun project for everyone in the family to try!

Another project that I think would be perfect for this week is this beginner-level tutorial for a Fall Tree Painting! For this project, you’ll need paint, a brush (or brushes) and a canvas. While each person in your group may want to paint his/her own fall tree, I also think this would also be a fun group project! Each person could add leaves in a different color, so that the final product ultimately reflects your own family tree!

Looking for something fun, fall-ish, and a little bit different to try out this week? Try this hot air balloon course! Autumn is the season for hot air balloons, and the color palette for this tutorial is perfectly fall-esque!

We hope that these art ideas add to your fun as you spend time with your family or friends and celebrate Thanksgiving!

The post Art Projects for Thanksgiving Week! appeared first on Sparketh.