Sensory art

July 27, 2012

Sensory Art

This summer, we had the pleasure of welcoming to our team, Samantha Kurgan, as an art teacher. The kids LOVED working with her and really looked forward to what type of project they would get to try each week. What made this art special, and so great for our kids, were all the different types of "mediums" they got to experience. They used paint, with their hands and brushes and other things, they used rice, and sponges, and newspaper, etc. All of which bring a different sensory experience to the table. These different types of textures are hard for many of our kids to handle, and there were definitely melt downs and BIG messes and struggles, but for the most part, the kids were so motivated by Samantha and her captivating projects, that the kids jumped right in and it was a great experience. It was incredible to see some of our kids try brand new things that they normally would shy away from (getting dirty, getting stuff on their hands, touching sticky or slimy things, etc.). They may have tried these things because they saw their friends trying them and overall it looked like fun. But most importantly, they were willing to try it because they have built a trusting relationship with the staff; they knew that what we are asking them to do would not hurt them, it would be fun, and we would be there to support them when things get hard. It is these types of difficult situations--when we see our campers try something they normally would be uncomfortable with, because they know they are in a supportive environment--that helps us see the impact of what the kids are learning. Thanks Samantha, she made the "project" we produced every week into a real piece of art, that parents could take home and enjoy!