Our Philosophy
Unstructured Play
ARTFUL KIDS has made a conscious decision to develop and structure the classes as ‘Unstructured Play’. We feel that in todays society, globally as well as in Hong Kong, parents are put under pressure to put their children into many activities that consistently have teacher led activities, these tend to also be time driven.
We do see a need for this, however it’s essential to balance out the different types of activities our children are exposed to.
Commonly our children, from a really young age are over-scheduled, with little time to ‘Play’.
More and more evidence is proving that ‘Play’ is an integral part of a childs’ development, and lack of it can have detrimental effects.
We understand that in Hong Kong, very few have back gardens or other outdoor areas that allow our children to ‘ just play’. Our studio has been carefully designed to encourage children to take ownership of their own ‘Play’. They will have free choice in a creative and artistic environment, where they can Paint, Draw, Collage all on small and large scale. They can also play with water and in sand (we have a sandpit). They decide what they play with, how long for and if they want to on their own or in groups.
Children can make these decisions from a very young age; we just need to give them the choice and the opportunity to do so. You get the opportunity to sit, relax, chat and watch your child Play and Create.
As Education Coach Anoo Padte says, “Young children work hard at play. Play has been shown to lay down the foundational architecture of the brain that is essential to learning language, to becoming a good reader, a proficient mathematician, to having a rich vocabulary and to developing the love of learning, a quality considered most critical for longer term, sustained interest in learning”.
She continues, “Teachers have a strong but subtle role to play in such play-oriented classrooms.Teachers carefully craft the environment for such play. They set out provocations in the form of openended, multi-use materials based on their close understanding of children’s learning patterns, emerging questions, explorations and interests. In such classrooms, teachers observe children. They are researchers of children. They know their developmental needs and they respond to their questions.
They craft an intentional curriculum that is centered on and that emerges from children’s play”. Both the English and Mandarin ‘classes’ run as ‘Unstructured’, with the teacher talking (in English or Mandarin) to the children.
Why is unstructured play so important?
- Play is important to healthy development of the brain;
- Undirected play helps children learn how to work collaboratively, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and learn self-advocacy skills;
- When play is child-driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover areas of interest on their own, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue;
- When Play is controlled by adults – such as in organized sports – children have to follow to adult rules and concerns (like winning) and lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership and group skills.
- Play offers parents a wonderful opportunity to engage fully with their children;
- Play and unscheduled time that allows for peer interactions is an important component of social emotional learning; and
- Child-driven, creative play protects against the effects of pressure and stress.
- Play encourages self expression and allows children to work through difficult emotions. Children who are able to initiate and enjoy self directed play are also more likely to be confident and sure of themselves.
Here are some sites accessing some interesting articles on the importance of Unstructured Play.
http://www.artofeducation.net/2012/01/significance-of-play-.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204652904577195844001321220.html
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/unstructured-play-makes-kids-smarter.html
http://www.artofeducation.net/2012/01/significance-of-play-.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/benefits-of-unstructured-imaginative-play-older-children
Why Paint, Drawing,Collage, Sand and Water
What Children Learn
- From simple, enjoyable play, children learn a wide range of skills, beginning with motor skills and hand-eye coordination from using a paint brush, pens or pencils, pouring water and fashioning items in the sand. Painting and drawing help with the dexterity of child, as well as selection process what colour, technique, texture to use, how mark-making effects the painting. They start to learn science from the behavior of water when it is poured from one container to another and from floating and sinking objects. Sand play can help with counting and measurement skills, shape comparison, and “less” and “more” concepts.
Communication
- While your child is playing using paint, pencils, collage, water and sand, they are (subconsciously) learning early maths and science concepts; for example, how colours are made when mixed with other colours or how many cups of water to fill another object. As we talk, or their friends talk to them, each child is improving their knowledge and understanding as well as their vocabulary and communication skills.
- As the behavior of materials change, the children observe, play and talk about what is happening. Your child’s curiosity will make teaching easier the more they ‘play’.
Social Skills
- Children learn social skills from paint, drawing, sand and water play. These activities encourage and requires cooperation and sharing even as role playing stimulates the imagination. Imaginative water play can include teaching concepts of care and hygiene by bathing a doll in a basin.
Creativity
- Art, sand and water play stimulate creativity. Let your child experiment and explore how to make shapes in paint, with pencils, with collage, with sand moulds and patterns in the sand or in the water. These elements allow your children to play and have fun, whilst learning, exploring, experimenting, know otherwise as Creating.
To Recap
- The development of creativity, imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength
- The ability to engage, interact with and manipulate the surrounding world
- The opportunity to conquer fears and practice adult roles
- The ability to develop self-confidence and resiliency
- The chance to work in groups, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts and learn self-advocacy
- The opportunity to build healthy, active, coordinated bodies
The Studio
A unique artist’s retreat for children!
ARTFUL KIDS is a purpose built studio space that has been designed to encourage children to learn, be creative and explorative, whilst having lots of fun through the use of Unstructured Play.
There are many activities available such as drawing, painting, sculpting, using water and sand, pastels and tye-dye, as well as being sit and relax whilst looking through art books. With all these activities, and more, available children are able to explore a wide range of materials and tactile elements. They can work fully supported in our unique unstructured programme on their own or in groups on small or large scale.
ARTFUL KIDS is located in North Point, in a building directly opposite the North Point MTR station on Kings Road. The Studio is on the 21st floor, has great views up and down Kings Road, up to the mountains and down to Victoria Harbour. These views constantly inspire creativity.
The Studio is purpose built having drawing, painting, sculpture, sand and water facilities as well as an A1 size printing press. Within the Studio there is a designer kitchen, with an expresso machine and wine fridge (for our adult Functions), one private bathroom, 3 large trough sinks, ample storage for students work, as well as an extensive range of Art books to help with research and inspiration.
In addition to the inside studio area, there are TWO 600sft outside terrace, with good awning coverage for shade. One terrace is a purpose built Art area for large-scale work; the other terrace is decked out as a relaxation area, where parents or helpers can drink complimentary tea, coffee and water and relax.
You are very welcome to come and visit to check out the facilities.
Classes & Offerings
Artful Kids
ARTFUL KIDS offers a huge range of activities and materials to choose from in small class sizes – no bigger than 6.
Artful Science
ARTFUL KIDS offers a huge range of activities and materials to choose from in small class sizes – no bigger than 6.
Artful pARTies
For children who love to just create and have fun Artful Kids provide the perfect party solution.
Artful Adults
We know that it’s not just children who love to just create and have fun. Artful Kids can bring out the child in you.
Artful Kids
ARTFUL KIDS offers a huge range of activities and materials to choose from in small class sizes – no bigger than 6.
Classes run from 9am weekdays. Please contact us directly for the times that each class runs.
ARTFUL KIDS art classes are run as ‘Unstructured Play’ times, please see ‘Our Philosophy’ page for more info.
Tiny Hands, Big Fun
For ages 18 months and under
Tiny Hands, Big Fun classes enable your child the opportunity to develop awareness, appreciation, and sensitivity, exploring the visual world around them and all its possibilities. Let them play with paint, colour, sand and water. They will love getting messy, whilst experimenting with a wide range of colour, materials and tactile surfaces.
Each session has break-time. The kids will be given healthy snacks and drinks.
WARNING – this will be messy- all participants need to wear old clothing and shoes ( bare feet/wellies/crocs are excellent] and we do have some coveralls for smaller children, but any mums and dads or helpers who want to be ‘painted’ will need to bring suitable clothing.
Payment
To secure your placement in ARTFUL KIDS art classes please issue payment before the commencement of the course.
You can pay either by Bank transfer and ensure that you email OR send through a confirmation of payment.
Alternatively you can make a cheque payable to HONG KONG FINE ART for the above amount and note your child’s name on back, which class it’s for and your mobile number.
1 hour lesson; 6 consecutive weeks.
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
My Mummy & Me
For ages 1.5yr – 3yrs
My Mummy and Me classes are designed to introduce your young child to many new and very important physical, cognitive, social and language skills, using basic art concepts, tools and materials as the vehicle of expression.
Your child will enjoy interactive playtime and socialization through the use of ‘Unstructured Play’. Create, experiment and explore paint,
collage, drawing, sand and water on both small and large scales.
Each session has break-time. The kids will be given healthy snacks and drinks.
WARNING – this will be messy- all participants need to wear old clothing and shoes [ bare feet/wellies/crocs are excellent] and we do have some coveralls for smaller children, but any mums and dads or helpers who want to be ‘painted’ will need to bring suitable clothing.
Payment
To secure your placement in ARTFUL KIDS art classes please issue payment before the commencement of the course.
You can pay either by Bank transfer and ensure that you email OR send through a confirmation of payment.
Alternatively you can make a cheque payable to HONG KONG FINE ART for the above amount and note your child’s name on back, which class it’s for and your mobile number.
1 hour lesson; 6 consecutive weeks.
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
Messy Monkeys
For ages 3yrs – 5yrs
Messy Monkeys art classes are designed to provide young children with an inviting creative setting where they will free to engage in the process of discovering colour, paint, markers, oil pastels, collage, sand and water. We welcome creativity!
The curriculum is developmentally based, and is introduced to the children in a playful and energetic manner. We will move through different creative experiences that pay careful attention to young children’s imaginations and perceptual development in an open and receptive environment. This class is devoted to teaching youngsters the process of making Art, whilst giving them the ability and inspiration to develop their visual perception in a natural and unhindered manner. Through the support of the art teacher and the parents, the child will gain confidence in their awakening sense of creativity, purpose and visual development.
Each child will develop its own ideas into individual and unique outcomes.
Each session has break-time. The kids will be given healthy snacks and drinks.
WARNING – this will be messy- all participants need to wear old clothing and shoes [ bare feet/wellies/crocs are excellent] and we do have some coveralls for smaller children, but any mums and dads or helpers who want to be ‘painted’ will need to bring suitable clothing.
Payment
To secure your placement in ARTFUL KIDS art classes please issue payment before the commencement of the course.
You can pay either by Bank transfer and ensure that you email OR send through a confirmation of payment.
Alternatively you can make a cheque payable to HONG KONG FINE ART for the above amount and note your child’s name on back, which class it’s for and your mobile number.
1 hour lesson; 6 consecutive weeks.
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
For Mummy & Daddy
As our classes run as with an ‘Unstructured Play’ philosophy, allowing Mummy, Daddy or Caregiver to chat, relax and enjoy watch your child. Sit out on our sun deck, on our comfortable and stylish sofas, chairs and beanbags. Enjoy biscuits, cappuccino and the time to put your feet up.Or if you’re up for it- join in the fun and mess….The Choice is Yours!!!!
Payment
To secure your placement in ARTFUL KIDS art classes please issue payment before the commencement of the course.
You can pay either by Bank transfer and ensure that you email OR send through a confirmation of payment.
Alternatively you can make a cheque payable to HONG KONG FINE ART for the above amount and note your child’s name on back, which class it’s for and your mobile number.
1 hour lesson; 6 consecutive weeks.
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
Includes complimentary tea, coffee, water, biscuits and snacks for children.
Register Now
Artful Science
Artful Kids introduces Artful Science.
An exciting and unique hands-on inquiry cross-curricular activity. Developed and designed by an Art teacher and a Science teacher from International schools in Hong Kong.
Discover Science through Art, and Art through Science. Experimental, Explorative and Enquiry-based fun.
Answer questions such as
- What is chromatography?
- How can we change colour?
- Why do they change?
A different course each term. Course 1 – ‘Colour’ 8 weeks. Max 8 students – 4 years to 7 years.
Tuesday: 9:30am – 10:45am
Wednesday: 3:00pm – 4:15pm | 4:30pm – 5:45pm
Friday: 10:15am – 11:30am
Starting Friday, 8 March 2013.
Artful Parties
For children who love to just create and have fun Artful Kids provide the perfect party solution. We personally tailor-make art activities for your child and friends to celebrate these special occasions.
Creative, imaginative and dynamic activities can range from painting plant pots, painting canvases, making prince and princess hats and funky mirrors.
The party experience consists of full use of the art studio for two hours. Within the two hours, the guests paint a mural size painting while people arrive. After the guest have arrived the customized art experience will begin and people will then create, sculpt, build, paint and/or decorate an object, such as a plant pot. You can choose from many different projects depending upon age levels and interests of the children.
You will need to bring in cake and food to feed the hungry artists, however we can also get this catered for if needed.
Parties can be run either on-site at the studio, or off-site, for example at a clients home.
All materials are provided and parties are supervised by our own in-house artists. To make enquiries and to discuss endless possibilities contact a member of the Artful Kids team.
WARNING – this will be messy- all participants need to wear old clothing and shoes [ bare feet/wellies/crocs are excellent] and we do have some coveralls for smaller children, but any mums, dads or helpers who want to be ‘painted’ will need to bring suitable clothing.
Parties for 2yr old+ for 2 hours.
Planned and tailored to your requirements. All materials are provided and are supervised by our ow in-house artists.
To make enquiries and to discuss endless possibilities contact a member of the Artful Kids team.
For bookings, enquiries and further information email us at info@artfulkids.hk
Artful Adults
Shower pARTy
This is a fantastic option for expectant mothers. If you are organising a party for a friend then how about Artful Adults for a fun and creative way to celebrate the wonderful arrival of tiny little feet.
Produce a group project for the mother that can be a thoughtful and touching present for both the mother-to-be and the baby.
Tea, cakes, champagne or whatever tickles your fancy.
Enjoy hanging out with friends in a comfortable, creative and unusual environment in Hong Kong.
WARNING – this will be messy- all participants need to wear old clothing and shoes ( bare feet/wellies/crocs are excellent] please bring suitable clothing.
Hen pARTies, or pARTies / Personal or Corporate
We know that it’s not just children who love to just create and have fun. Artful Kids can bring out the child in you.
We can provide the perfect party solution- but this time with a beer, glass of wine or whatever is your tipple. Fire up the BBQ, put on some music, paint, draw, create, or relax on one of our 600 sft terrace, on our comfortable and stylish sofa and chairs.
WARNING – this will be messy- all participants need to wear old clothing and shoes ( bare feet/wellies/crocs are excellent] please bring suitable clothing.
Professional Development
For an alternative and fun team building exercise. How about time allocated to Creating.
This is a crucial element of our lives that allows us to Problem Solve by thinking outside the box.
Lets balance our Left and Right Brain!
All materials are provided and parties are supervised by our own in-house artists. To make enquiries and to discuss endless possibilities contact a member of the Artful Kids team.
WARNING – this will be messy- all participants need to wear old clothing and shoes ( bare feet/wellies/crocs are excellent] please bring suitable clothing.
