Did you know?

Children are usually rewarded for being smart and having the right answers. Rewards are not as automatic when children are curious or creative. Curiosity may prompt inconvenient questions and a creative project can mean a big mess on the kitchen table or family room floor. But the ability to solve problems often depends on our willingness to think in new ways and try different solutions.

You can encourage your children’s imagination by making sure they have some time to entertain themselves without TV or planned activities.

When they try something new help them to enjoy the process without worrying too much about the final product. Cutting, pasting and taping can be very satisfying to young children even if they don't actually make anything!

Keep a cardboard or plastic box in a handy place to accumulate discarded items for art supplies. Paper towel rolls, paper with writing on one side, egg cartons, and straws make useful materials. If you want some inspiration for simple fun crafts check out 123 I Can Build by Irene Luxbacher from the public library.

The Mayor's Book Club is pleased to present our
Book of the Month for February,
A Ccolor of His Own
by Leo Lionni.

Sponsored by 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union and Healthy Families Partnership, Inc.

It's fun and easy!

A Color of His Own seems like a simple story but there is much to talk about with your child. Friendship, change, adaptability, and self-identity are some themes found in the book.

Ask your child:

	Why was the chameleon sad?
	How did the other chameleon help?

Have your child draw a self-portrait to emphasize his/her uniqueness. Encourage your child to choose a color that will be his or her own and incorporate it into their drawing. (Ex: color of clothing they wear)

Next time you are in Lowe’s or Home Depot with your child take a few minutes to look at the colors in the paint department. Pick up a few of the paint samples and show your child how a single color can have many shades and tints.

The Book of the Month is selected by a team of librarians, teachers, and other experts for the purpose of promoting a love of reading and providing fun and rewarding reading experiences in the classroom and in the home.

Bringing the Story to Life

Put some whipped cream or whipped topping in each of three bowls. Using plastic spoons, help your child stir in red food coloring in one bowl, blue in another and yellow in the third. Get some extra empty bowls and choose two colors to mix in each. What colors can you make? When you are done mixing colors dip apples slices or graham crackers in the whipped cream for a colorful treat!

Look at the names of the colors in a box of Crayola crayons. Help your child make up new names for his or her favorite colors.

The first day of spring is Saturday, March 20. Help your child notice the colors in the landscape as little by little trees begin to leaf out and flowers begin to bloom.

Book Picks

Tell Us What You Think!

Parents and teachers-please take the Mayor's Book Club Survey online and give us your input about our monthly newsletter. You could win a Healthy Families Partnership summer package for participating. The package includes Chick-fil-A coupons, a beverage cooler, picnic blanket, and more!

The deadline for participating in the prize drawing is April 30th, so please visit our website www.hamptonmayorsbookclub.org and take our survey today!

Charles Taylor Arts Center
4205 Victoria Blvd., 757-727-1490, artscom@hampton.gov
Gallery Hours
Tues – Fri 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Weekends 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Artists Who Teach February 27- March 28, 2010 Artists teaching in local universities and schools will be featured. For little ones, keep the visit short and then stop by the library right next door to check out some of the books suggested in this month's newsletter.