I can’t believe the holidays are drawing to a close and we will be returning to school in just over a week!
We had a blast this school holiday, but not in the usual way. If we are not travelling, I usually fill up our school holidays with activities and meet-ups. But this time round, I decided not to. I must admit, this was in part forced on me by my helper’s need to return home on home leave at short notice. Being short-handed had me taking things more slowly. We spent more time at home, and indulged in all the extra reading time, TV time, play time with the neighbours.
The children did have some special requests though, and for Mei it was for “PAINTING PLEASE, MAMA!” I don’t know about you, but my heart always sinks a bit when the kids ask to paint because it can get a little messy, plus I’m just not very good at art! Fortunately for Mei (and me), Abrakadoodle came to the rescue with their invitation to attend their 3-Day Amazing Rainforest Art Camp.
I’ve long been a fan of Abrakadoodle, having sent Noey for regular art classes and holiday art camps there previously. This was the first class Noey ever attended independently, and he had always found it a lot of fun. On my part, I appreciated the fact that they had a very well developed programme, which introduces different art mediums, techniques and artistic styles to the children, and more importantly, fully allows the children, even those as young as 3-years in age, to express themselves creatively through art while providing them enough guidance to produce art pieces that they could be proud of — all on their own.
Mei was tremendously eager to go for camp, and despite it being a new environment, she settled in easily, enticed by the colourful decorated classroom with its jungle motifs (which had been put up specially for this camp!) and reassured by the enthusiastic and warm teachers who received her. I was glad to see Teacher Ann, who was previously Noey’s favourite teacher, and knew she would be in good hands.
For the three days that Mei was at camp, I was kept in suspense as she came home telling me about her chameleon, tiger, two monkies and even a spider she encountered on a rainforest adventure! All was revealed on the last day during gallery time. Gallery time is a trademark of all Abrakadoodle classes, and it is one of my favourite things about their classes. This is conducted during the last 15 minutes on the last day of camp, and during this time, parents are invited into the classroom to watch while each child does a little show-and-tell session with their artwork. I love this as not only does it help build confidence in public speaking in kids, it gives them that additional opportunity to explain their thoughts behind their pieces, and sometimes they have surprising stories to tell!
During her camp, Mei completed six pieces of artwork (two each day) and she selected a picture of a flower to present.
My little miss is usually very shy in front of an audience but with Teacher Ann’s prompting, she was able to tell us about her picture, (“It’s a flower“), the artist whose work this was inspired by (“Georgia O’Keeffe“) and what she used to create this picture (“Watercolour paints and oil pastels“). And of course who she would like to give this painting to (“Mummy!“).
There were some piece of the different campers’ work on the wall as well and I loved looking at how the different children had interpreted the same piece even though the same techniques had to used. Even though they were all 3-4 years olds, thanks to the use of age-appropriate techniques and instructions, they were all able to create these works of art. I chuckled I when I saw Mei’s tiger, and knew instantly that it was hers because it had eyebrows! That girl really loved to draw eyebrows on her faces!
Artwork on display, all done by 3-4 year olds. Can you spot Mei’s tiger?
Some of the pieces Mei completed during camp. Lots of forest animal fun!
Mei had a lot of fun during the camp, and when I asked if she wanted to come back for more, the answer was a resounding “yes!”. I guess this might be something we will have to look into in the year ahead.
Thanks Abrakadoodle for a smashing time!
Abrakadoodle’s Art Camps, including the Amazing Rainforest Art Camp, runs for 2 more weeks on 29 December 2014 and 5 January 2015. You can visit their website at abrakadoodle.com.sg for more information or click here to register:
Bukit Timah Branch: http://abrakadoodle.com.sg/registerclass-bt.htm
Jurong Branch: http://abrakadoodle.com.sg/registerclass-jr.htm
Marine Parade Branch: http://abrakadoodle.com.sg/abt-marineparade.htm
Arbrakadoodle’s Art Camps are organised regularly during the school holidays so if you miss this round, don’t forget to keep your eye out for the next round which should be coming your way soon.
Abrakadoodle (Bukit Timah Branch)
501 Bukit Timah Rd #02-13,
Cluny Court, Singapore 259760
(next to French Embassy and the Botanic Gardens MRT Station)
Tel: 67639219
E-mail: enquiry@abrakadoodle.com.sg
Web: abrakadoodle.com.sg
* Mei’s attendance of the 3-Day Amazing Rainforest Art Camp was sponsored by Abrakadoodle. All opinions reflected however, as always, remain entirely my own.
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