Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Global Youth Artways

Thanks to a former ward member (she's not former, I am ... of the ward ... not the Church - I'm sure that didn't need any explaining) I found a program called Global Youth Artways. It's a nonprofit organization that promotes art to the community's youth as it seems to be disappearing from the classroom. The classes are held once a week for 6 weeks in the South Salt Lake/Downtown areas.

I had originally signed Leah (and myself since they are parent child classes for children 3 and under) up for 2 classes: art and music. The classes are full of kids her age and I thought Leah would have a blast learning new things.

The music class hasn't panned out. Leah won't have anything to do with the teacher, the other kids, or anything related to participation. We went for 3 sessions and I've called it quits. During the first class, it was all I could do to keep Leah from screaming the entire time, she did not enjoy it (although in the car ride home she sang every single song). After the first class I decided to not MAKE Leah participate. For the second class as soon as we stepped in she clung and screamed and burrowed as far into my legs as she could. I sat calmly sat down and let her sit in my lap. I was determined to let Leah make of this class what she wanted it to be. If she wanted to participate fine, if not, I'd be okay with that as well. So this second class passed fine. The third class was much a repeat of the first one. So I've had it. Leah likes learning new songs and playing instruments, but I'm not going to fight with her on it. It's just seems that she enjoys the learning aspect but not the people aspect.

We are finally making progress on the art class. The first two classes were pretty scary for Leah, but the teacher has made a special effort to make sure Leah is comfortable with everything and she isn't too pushy, which is key. The teacher is focused on introducing the kids to different mediums. It's taken some convincing but I've even gotten Leah to play with finger paints and clay (dirty hands are not okay in her book). All in all, the class is a hit and Leah continues to ask when the next art class is.Painting our ceramics



Here's Leah showing off her jewelry. We made a ceramic ring, necklace, and bracelet. To date only the bracelet has survived.

6 comments:

The Lambert Family said...

How fun! So is it free? How do you sign up? Caden might like something like that.

Lindsay Quinney said...

I am glad she at least likes the art class. It looks like a lot of fun!!

Amber said...

It looks like she enjoys the art class! She will come around to music,on her own time. It's in her blood! She did a great job making the jewlery!

Dynamic Chiropractic said...

Annika is in a music class and a tumbling class. Every week when it is time to go to tumbling she can't get there fast enough, the music class... she doesn't want to go until she is there. Once in the class she has a good time, kids can be so stubborn it's amazing!

Carl and Steph said...

Yeah for pictures!! That is so awesome to have the opportunitiy to expose Leah to the arts. May her hands get ooey gooey with lots of messy goodness.

Unknown said...

I'm glad you found a class that suits her personality. And that maybe even pushes her a little beyond her comfort zone (I'm also glad she can tolerate getting a little messy now!). How fun. Cute pictures!