Artasia at St. Ann

The theme for the week was relationships. I had the kids draw with chalk on each other’s paper and then they could colour in their drawing with acrylic markers. This activity was special for the kids because they got to use black paper and paint markers. At the end of the activity many kids had left the table to explore other things in the room. I was sitting with two girls who were still working on their art. Another girl who had not done any of the activity, joined us. I asked if she wanted to use the paint markers and draw on the black paper but she refused. So I asked for her help colouring in a giant flower I had drawn with pastel. She happily took this task on and began colouring in each petal with a different marker. As the three of us all worked together on our pieces, we chatted and shared tips and ideas with one another. Another student and I collaborated on a pastel drawing of an island and I taught her how to smudge the pastel so we can get different colours from the pigment. As we enjoyed each other’s company and complimented each other’s hard work, a perceptible bond was forming. 

When I started to pack up the supplies because lunch was starting, one girl turned to the girl who was working on the pastel flower and asked “what is your name again?” The other girl answered. Then the first girl asked if they could eat lunch together. The second girl said yes! As I left the room, I saw the two of them eating together and giggling and I felt my heart grow warm knowing that this activity had facilitated a new friendship. 

What makes this moment significant is that these two girls had been in the summer camp for 5 weeks already, but had not remembered each other’s names or hung out. I was glad the girls found each other while doing a quieter activity, they might not have connected. The theme for the activity was relationships and even though the planned activity did not bring these girls together, the smaller group activity did. In this small moment, we were better able to hear each other and respond to one another’s ideas. I wondered if the large group activity was too much for one of the girls to join and I thought about how some kids feel more comfortable group activities. It made me appreciate children’s openers to each other and how a quieter space with less energy facilitates connection for some kids.

– Vania