Artasia at HWCCCC Binbrook

Flag Week at our Binbrook EarlyON site was a delightful success! Although only two families attended, this allowed for more dedicated time to help each child with the creative process—and it was two more than the previous week!

The first little girl who joined the craft was thrilled to mix paint colors and spread them across the fabric, though she wasn’t sure where to start. I asked her what her favorite color was, expecting the usual “pink,” “blue,” or “purple.” To my surprise, she enthusiastically said “black!” I poured some black paint for her, and she jumped right into the project. She also chose some orange construction paper, and I helped her cut out shapes from fabric scraps to add to her design. Once she finished, we hung her flag to dry on a tree using string and clothespins. Shortly after, a little boy and his mom began the craft. He chose red and yellow paint, along with some fabric to stick onto his flag. He was particularly excited about using the bingo dabbers, covering his paper in blue and red dots! Afterward, we hung his flag up to dry, and his mom eagerly took it home with them. It was wonderful to see the kids explore different textures and engage in a creative new craft that they likely hadn’t experienced before. The smaller group allowed for a more personalized experience, and it was a joy to witness their enthusiasm and creativity!

Wearable Fashion Week at Binbrook EarlyON turned out to be another great experience! To potentially attract more participants, we decided to hold the Artasia programming indoors, where more families typically gather. However, to our surprise, only a few families were present that day. One family, in particular, took an interest in the project. A mother helped her two sons create bracelets. The younger boy, still developing his motor skills, needed some assistance, so with the help of his mom and I, we made a bracelet using the bead colors he selected. His older brother, who was a bit more independent, thoroughly enjoyed the activity. He quickly made his own bracelet and then eagerly created a second one for his younger brother. After that, he helped his mom with hers and then rushed to make another for his dad, who was at work.

It was heartwarming to see how invested he was in the craft and how eager he was to include his whole family in the experience. The sense of care and thoughtfulness he showed was truly wonderful, making the day even more special!

Ava Aalbers