Kids’ Art Gallery Submission Guidelines
Posted on November 12th, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Perhaps we can start by encouraging and celebrating artistic forms of self-expression. Let’s give it a try.
If you have a submission for our gallery, please send us a picture (jpg, 560 pixels wide) with the title of the piece, child’s age and how you would like the artist’s name to appear.
Classic Play Kids’ Art Gallery
Posted on November 11th, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
I have a great idea. How about we open a museum for kids’ art. You sign up and all the kids who want to put their stuff in there can -Jonah, age 6
And with that simple (and great) idea, the Classic Play Kids’ Art Gallery was born. This is an open gallery to kids would like to show their work. Depending on the amount of submissions we receive, we may rotate pieces so that everyone has a chance to show their art.
Enjoy.
Does your child have a work of art he or she would like to share? Click here.
Still Life | Abbey, age 8
Flying | Rohan, age 4
Neighborhood | Colton, age 6
Nuna (grandmother) | Jack, age 4
Pelican | Jack, age 4
Abbey, age 8
The City | Julian Forte
Waffles | Matthew, age 4
Pumpkin Patch | Jacob, age 8
Me Jumping Rope | Ella Hoak, Age 6
Spooky House | Jacob, age 8
Untitled | Rohan L, age 5
Mom + Dad | Rohan L, age 5
october 10 | Rohan L, age 5
Beach Sunset | Aidan, age 10
The Kitchen | Aidan, age 10
Polar Bear | Jonah, age 5
Siblings | Ellie, age 8
General Grievous | Raj L, age 8
watercolor | Ashleigh, age 10
Tree | Sami, age 5
Whale Tale | Abbey, age 8
Play Date: An Homage to the Red Balloon
Posted on June 1st, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
Well my friends, here we are. Our story began with a 1960s French film about a boy and his balloon, and it ends with a modern day story about a girl and her balloon.
On a bright Saturday morning, the kids climbed into our bed and nestle between us. I grab the laptop, prop it up in a place everyone so can see and together we watch a movie that I watched long ago.
“There’s no talking?”
“No. This is a story without words.”
….
“How does the balloon do that? It’s like it’s really magic.”
“It’s a sort of magic. It’s called movie magic.”
….
“Why is the boy happy?”
“Because now he has a friend.”
….
“I like watching movies and cuddling.”
“Me too, kids. Me too.”
Short film shot and edited by Dave K Cooper.
Printable: Robots Take On Tinsel Town
Posted on May 31st, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
Our Robots are taking on some of the best family movies of all time. From trying out for roles in ET to Bringing Up Baby, these Robots have only one thing to say, “We’re ready for our close up Mr. DeMille.”
Print out this pdf. Then color, cut and get playing!
The Scene is Set
Posted on May 31st, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
I have fond memories of our town’s library. It was a tiny, little thing really. And just like on an old movie or tv show set, it was situated right on main street. The library featured just one and a half small floors filled with old metal racks that formed very narrow rows.
It was in that library that I discovered the secret of the Orient Express, coveted their only copy of A Light in the Attic and racked up fines that I’m sure funded their eventual move to a much larger, much more modern building.
It was also there that I discovered film.
When I was about 12 or 13, I became eligible to check out AV equipment. I remember asking one of the librarians if I could look around the AV room. She then handed me a piece of paper and I signed it in that special way only adolescents can—big bubble cursive letters.
The ink hadn’t even dried on the signature before I raced up the stairs to check out the AV room. It was a small room off the top floor. In it, there were old film reels and two projectors hidden under dust bags. That day, I checked out one film projector and two films: The Red Balloon and Casablanca.
I lugged the film projector a half mile back to the house and set it up in our back room. Then I pulled out the screen my dad kept tucked away for impromptu astronomy slideshows, cued up the film, and settled myself in a chair. As the film flickered, I found myself in a time and a country I knew nothing about, 1960s France, where I watched the story of two unlikely friends unfold—a boy and his red balloon. I was hooked.
I suppose it was fate that, several years later, I should meet a boy who loved film just as much as me. On our first date, almost 20 years ago, we went to see our first movie together. We have shared a lot of movies over the years. Some have been pivotal (the one where I felt our first born kick for the first time, the ones we were watching when we decided what we’d name our children, the one that inspired a proposal) and some, just plain fun.
Movies and television have the power to transport, shape, unite and inspire. In movies and television, anything is possible.
In this issue of Classic Play, we share our own stories of how film and television have shaped us. We also share some ideas and projects to inspire the next generation of film makers.
But there’s something extra special about this issue. It’s a countdown to a world premiere. It’s one that means a great deal to me personally and one I hope you’ll enjoy too. So grab a bucket of popcorn, some swedish fish and watch the story unfold.
Now let’s all go to the movies…
Jen
The Movie & Television Issue
Posted on May 31st, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
Lights. Camera. Action. In this issue of Classic Play! we celebrate Movies and Television. We share how they shaped us, defined a generation and offer some ideas to inspire the next round of filmmakers. Plus, we invite you to a Classic Play! Short. It’s a personal salute to a much-beloved children’s film: The Red Balloon.
This Issue’s Features:
- The Scene is Set
- Appointment Television
- Activity: Reel Time
- Moving Pictures
- Strong in this One, the Force Is
- Printable: Robots Take On Tinsel Town
- Hasenpfeffer
- Movie Night
- Play Date: An Homage to the Red Balloon
Spy School
Posted on May 6th, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
Codes
Games
Disguise
Playvolution Library
Posted on April 14th, 2011 by Jennifer Cooper
This is a library of articles, sites and information about the importance of play and creativity in child development.
The goal of this library is to provide information and empower parents, teachers and community leaders who want to be advocates for play and nurturing creativity.
The list below is organic and evolving. Many of these articles and sites have been passed along to me by friends, colleagues and parents who are on the frontline of the playvolution. If you have notes or an article or site you’d like to add, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to send them along or post in the comments below.
Vive la Playvolution!
Articles
From the New York Times: the movement to restore play. It’s given me a great deal of hope for the future and is a must read for any family.
Making A Case for Play. Researchers discuss the science of play. It’s one of the best articles we’ve seen describing the play continuum.
Why Children Need to Learn to Play
Forget Tiger Moms, there’s a new mother in town: The Polar Bear Mom.
Dr. Borba gives us a reality check: 11 not so surprising benefits of play
From inhabitots: Digital Story Telling.
How children give parents the power to change. I found this inspiring and loved the positive view of the parent/child dynamic.
Finland says The Children Must Play!
Back to basics: We all need more recess in our lives. Grown ups, that includes you too.
This is one of my favorites: The Four Secrets of Playtime that Foster Creative Kids.
Can play help close the achievement gap?
Ring those recess bells! Being active stimulates the brain and helps kids learn. It keeps us adults mentally fit too.
I don’t know if the link between daydreaming and creativity is all that surprising. But I’m happy the experts are on it. What does this mean for our kids? They need free time just like the rest of us!
Want smart kids? Make sure they get recess! (via KaBOOM!)
“We need new minds equipped with new ways of thinking.” Teaching Kids Design Thinking So They Can Solve the World’s Biggest Problems.
“There is nothing frivolous about play.” Wired looks at the Virtues of Play.
A year of playful living: A writer spent an hour a day, for a year, playing with her kids and documented the results. Find out what she discovered.
And here’s one from Alison Gopnik: Why Preschool Shouldn’t Be Like School. You know, sometimes I kind of think school shouldn’t be like school either.
Sites
Sir Ken Robinson
Let Children Play
Imagination Soup
Modern Parents Messy Kids
KaBoom!
TED: Ideas Worth Spreading
Brothers Trimm
World Play Date
Pancakes for Recess
Idea Splash
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First time here? Yay! So happy you stopped by! Here are some links to start you off:
A Year in Review: The Best of Classic Play! 2011 Leaping
Walkie Talkie Dictionary
Marshmallow Building
Virtual Science Camp
Rainy Day Activities
Cooking with Kids
Ewok Birthday Party
Man vs. Wild Birthday Party
Play Dough Circuits
Family Field Trip: Stargazing
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