tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post2064198375209264187..comments2023-10-20T09:12:52.640+01:00Comments on Artful Adventures: Creativity for BoysJudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05685862017243920231noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-45102061823384904332010-02-08T13:49:48.924+00:002010-02-08T13:49:48.924+00:00If I can take a photo of the mural I will - it'...If I can take a photo of the mural I will - it's huge. Might have to be a triptych. <br /><br />I'm left handed too - all the best people are.alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09338687691871813019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-42126756699369716362010-02-06T19:00:25.343+00:002010-02-06T19:00:25.343+00:00@Cathy - I agree with you about kits, I only buy t...@Cathy - I agree with you about kits, I only buy them as gifts myself, but I think sometimes for those who are not especially creative themselves it makes life easier when everything is put together for you - though you certainly pay for it!<br /><br />@Kellyi - I'm glad your son hasn't been put off! I'm left handed too, as of course was Leonardo da Vinci, so we're in good company!Judehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05685862017243920231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-19478437748204406892010-02-06T11:03:21.819+00:002010-02-06T11:03:21.819+00:00I have one daughter (the eldest) and three boys, o...I have one daughter (the eldest) and three boys, one of which is still a baby. Out of all of them the most instinctively creative is my middle son, he is left handed also, which apparently is common in creative types.<br /><br />The older three all attend a weekly art course at our local gallery, and there is only one other boy on it. There is nothing feminine about the gallery, the course content and the instructors are male and female. <br /><br />For Christmas he wanted craft kits and I really struggled in our local shops to find things that weren't pink or purple! In the end I made my own collection of items but it took a lot of internet shopping to put together.<br /><br />I've also gone out my way to find resources that will inspire them that again, aren't aimed at girls. I agree entirely - there is a market out there for creative boys!kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708429699005394771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-39347750194706625462010-02-05T21:12:02.098+00:002010-02-05T21:12:02.098+00:00Spot on! MY boys love darwing and colouring etc an...Spot on! MY boys love darwing and colouring etc and would love to do other stuff but they are put off by pink as am I. Also as a mother of boys I find that I don't even know where to start with art for them as everything seems to be for girls ...any tips gratefully received but pelase note I am NOT very good at arts and crafts myself so feel doubly encumbered!Tattieweaslehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10723634612274763884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-7431905353044213662010-02-05T21:01:07.367+00:002010-02-05T21:01:07.367+00:00I think there's so much benefit in all childre...I think there's so much benefit in all children being encouraged to be crafty and creative, boys and girls. We do lots of crafts at home (and on the nurturestore blog) but I try and avoid kits. We use stuff that's in the recycling bin or other basic craft materials like card, tissue paper etc. instead of a kit prescribing what we should be doing with them. I've got 2 girls but don't like things which are packaged in (what the manufacturer thinks of as) a 'girl' style. I think you're right that shops try and push separate girl and boy toys/actvities but as a parent we should resist this. In my work with Early Years children I try to be 'gender neutral' - everyone can play with the dolls and the trains, however they like.Cathy @ NurtureStorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03318862246353943512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-16278139015763010092010-02-05T20:12:18.773+00:002010-02-05T20:12:18.773+00:00Oh good, I'm glad people agree - it doesn'...Oh good, I'm glad people agree - it doesn't seem to be noticed in general, and you do start to wonder if you're just being paranoid. For boys who are artistic or creative, they almost have to develop that interest in spite of the lack of encouragement from manufacturers, whereas girls have it thrust at them, whether they're creative or not.<br /><br />Deerbaby - I'd love to see that mural - don't suppose you fancy submitting it to the Artful Kids Flickr group do you??<br /><br />In the meantime - we'll all have to keep encouraging our own boys!Judehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05685862017243920231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-84299756927935030772010-02-05T19:57:15.334+00:002010-02-05T19:57:15.334+00:00I think you've got a real point here. All the ...I think you've got a real point here. All the craft packaging I see in shops tends to be aimed at girls- girl models on the packets, lots of pink, beads, glittery things, etc etc. Apart from things like Hamas beads (is that what they're called- you know those things you stick into a white trellis and iron)I don't see much on the market that is gender non specific. I used to like doing crafty things with my son (now 10). Even at organised events at National Trust Houses and museums, the tables have been mostly filled with girls. Luckily he still likes art and being creative (he's done a huge mural after seeing the Bayeaux Tapestry- inspired by all the killing) but he could have so easily been put off. I think he'd draw the line at being taught to knit though, which is a shame.<br /><br />Why do companies/manufacturers do this? Why do they pigeonhole them so young?alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09338687691871813019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-57731380702090825332010-02-05T19:55:32.324+00:002010-02-05T19:55:32.324+00:00I'd never noticed it so openly but I think you...I'd never noticed it so openly but I think you're absolutely right. Certainly when Joob was at preschool all the threading, beads etc were girlish. He's very artistic and always drawing, or planning an art project. So, in a shamless piece of self promotion, please take a look at our site. We've got lots of arts and crafts & other preschool activities, aimed specifically at boys. I made sure of that! Armineh@tuptuptoysAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120425596787892711.post-44136475129236590802010-02-05T11:56:22.251+00:002010-02-05T11:56:22.251+00:00I totally agree with you on this and this is possi...I totally agree with you on this and this is possibly why I do lots of craft with my boys. I think it is great fun and they seem to miss out on a lot due to the fact that people stereotype boys.<br /><br />We are off to MINA over the half term and I am hoping we don't encounter a girls table. <br /><br />As you know I craft and do arty stuff a lot with the boys and long may it continue.Jen Walshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07374363403295342745noreply@blogger.com