Energy (Child Submission)

By Maya from Maryland

Energy (Child Art Submission)

By Miles from Maryland

Energy

By Asiatu Lawoyin

Children are the masters of make-believe. From imaginary friends to elaborate fictitious stories, the unseen is real and simply makes sense.  Sadly, many parents discourage children to speak of things they believe do not exist such as angels, ghosts, auras, etc.  However, many adults fail to realize that some of the greatest minds believed in the “unreal”. From Albert Einstein and quantum physics, to Thomas Edison and electricity, those defying the limits of vision have significantly changed society.

“Straw-blowing art” and “Old-fashioned telephone” are great art projects that help make the concept of energy fun and visual. Straw art uses the child’s “energy” to blow the watercolor all over the page. Though you can’t see your breath, it is still quite evident that it exists and is the reason why the watercolor is moving. Making “old-fashioned telephones” again emphasizes that your energy (voice) travels to the other person without it being seen. Energy does not have to be seen to know that it is there.

Straw-blowing Art

Materials

Watercolor paper

Watercolor brush

Watercolors (set or liquid)

Cup of water

Straws

1.      If you are using liquid watercolors make drops on the paper with the paintbrush.

2.      Use a straw to blow the watercolor paint all over the paper.

OR

1.      If you are using a watercolor set, use the paint brush to dap a small amount of water onto one color of the set and then dump the water onto the paper.

2.       After the blot of watercolor is on the paper use the straw to blow it around.

TIPS:

Be sure to take breaks every few minutes to prevent dizziness.

Old-fashioned telephone

Materials

Two plastic cups

String (no less than a yard, but the longer the better 2-3 yards is ideal)

Glue

Tissue paper (cut into 1 inch by 1 inch squares)

1.      Cover the cups in glue and stick the cut tissue paper squares on the cups.

2.      ADULTS poke a hole in the bottom of each cup.

3.      Put the string in about an inch inside the cup and tie a knot in both cups.

4.      Enjoy sending messages back and forth to each other.

Tips:

Be sure that the string is tightly pulled for best results of hearing the messages. Try different cup sizes and string thickness and see if it makes a difference in the sound quality.

Making Auras (Child Submission)

By: Aria from Florida

To submit an art project or story please send it to Talia at holkidsmag@gmail.com.

Growing...

By Lisa Zupan

 Summer is a great time to garden! And, nothing is more fun than teaching a little one about gardening.  A few weeks ago, I took the little person in my house to the nursery to choose his favorite seeds. He looked long at hard at his choices knowing he could only pick three. "Strawberries! They're my favorite! (Pause) Peas! Can we please grows peas?? (Long pause) Ice cream! Can we grow a big huge vanilla ice cream tree with sprinkles?"

Growing peas

Well, two out of three isn't a bad start right?

Here are a few of my tips to really get your little one ‘Growing…”

(1)  Try taking your child to the nursery and letting him/her choose a favorite fruit and veggie seed.  

(2)  Use seedling cups from the nursery or dixie cups and let the child fill them with dirt and plant the seed.  

(3)   Make sure to put the cups where they will get plenty of
light but also easily accessible for the little one.  

(4)   Make it part of their daily routine to gently water the seeds.  

Within a few days, you will watch them sprout.  Transplant the baby plant whenever they outgrow their cups.  You can re-plant them many ways and put them in many different places. You can transplant them into a larger pot or container (milk carton, larger paper cup, et cetera). You can put the newly potted plant in the windowsill or in the ground in a garden area.  Hopefully, if all goes well, your child will have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labor!

*Lisa Zupan is a holistic health practitioner out of Los Angeles, California. You can visit her website at http://www.zupanshealinggarden.com and email her at lisa@zupanshealinggarden.com.

The Fish and The Turtle: how chanting made me calm

By Imani Frierson (Age 5)

It was my birthday. I was very excited! I had just gotten a new fish tank. I only had to wait three days to get my fish. Three days passed, I asked my mom if we could get the fish but my mom said I wasn’t on my best behavior. It seemed like weeks and weeks passed.

One day, I was cleaning the yard with my granddad. When he cleared one section, we saw a small turtle. We went upstairs and I told my older sister and her friend that we found a turtle.

My granddad said, “I am going to put it in the fish tank.”

“You are not supposed to put that in there,” I replied.

Soon my mom came home. She announced, “We can go to [the pet store] to get the fish now girls.” I told my mom what happened with the turtles.

She said, “Dad, I don’t think you should have put the turtle in the tank”.

We arrived at the pet store. The man at the pet store told us that we couldn’t get the fish until the water was tested because we let him know what granddad did. I was very mad. I wanted to get my fish!

We got in the car. We stayed in the car and chanted for 4 minutes.

Mom asked, “How does granddad feel about you?”

I replied, “I think granddad loves me”.

Mom said, “Granddad knows you like animals right?”

And then I said, “Yes!”

And then mom said, “Did granddad know he was going to mess up the water by putting the turtle in the tank.”

And then I said, “No, he loves me and he wanted me to have an animal. It’s better to have a turtle than no pet.”

We went home. I asked everyone to clear the kitchen so I can have a conversation with granddad.  He apologized and I didn’t hurt his feelings. The next day, he took me to the pet store. The water got tested and I got to have my fish!!

I got three glow-in-the-dark fish and a Black Balloon Belly. I named the Black Balloon Belly Black Rose, one glow-in-the-dark fish I named Charlie, one I named Lola, and the last one, Paige.

I picked up the turtles the next day after school. I went behind the gate and let them go. I told my granddad, "I really miss my turtles especially the one that fooled us but I am glad I got my fish." I was able to talk to my granddad calmly because I chanted.  Best of all, I didn’t hurt my granddad’s feelings.

Making Auras

BY: Asiatu Lawoyin

Cheerio Aura Art (toddlers-6 yrs)
Coffee Filter Aura Art (7 yrs +)
 

Cheerio Aura Art
Materials
-paper
-glue
-cut out pictures of any living thing (trees, plants, animals...)
-fruity cheerios (multicolored)

1.    Have the child glue the cut out pictures onto a piece of construction paper. The larger size works best with larger pictures.

2.    Glue one color of cheerios around the boarder of each picture. There is no limit to the layers. I used one layer but other layers can be added.

Themes that can be discussed while doing the art are auras, living versus non-living things, colors, and counting.

Animal Auras by Asiatu

Coffee Filter Aura Art

Materials

-paper
-glue
-coffee filters
-food coloring/liquid watercolor
-pipette

1.    Have the child glue the picture in the center of the FLATTENED coffee filter. Smaller pictures work best to fit the center.

2.    Use food coloring bottles and squeeze drops around the pictures one color at a time. The colors will run together giving a tie-dye look to it.

3.    The more colors you use the more radiant the aura. AFTER the filter is dried, glue the filter onto paper. Liquid watercolors can be substituted for the food coloring.

4.    Use a pipette to put the drops around the pictures.

Themes to be discussed are auras, more complex color identity if using liquid water colors, and color combinations if the colors run together what new colors they make.



Bird Aura by Asiatu