Arts and Crafts

When I hear about music, physical education and art programs being cut from of our schools, I just cringe. I even get a little red in the face. This week, the Dudes reminded me of the importance of these programs.

left: A juvenile bald eagle scavenges dead fish off the beach as it’s mother looks on.

I have been diligent about keeping up with their schoolwork since we started our trip. And, at our current rate, they should both be well ahead of their grade level by the end of the year. That combined with museums visits and “road schooling” should keep them pretty well rounded. So I thought.

right: Century old Russian Orthodox Church.

Then, we arrived in the small village of Ninilchik (pop. 843). We came to Ninilchik for a music festival but, came a couple of days early to knockabout and see the turn of the 19th century native and Russian town.

The campground is located on a bluff overlooking the Cook Inlet with great views of the volcanos Mt. Redoubt (active in 2009), Mt. Iliamma, the village of Ninilchik and a 100 year old Russian Orthodox Church. A walk down a huge flight of stairs takes you to an expansive empty beach.

Our first evening in town, we took a walk on the beach and the Dudes spotted some layers of clay in the bluff. Without any prompting from us they dug out some clay so that they could “make some pots”. When we got back to the campsite, they set up a work area and got right to business. They were so focused, so determined and so passionate about creating something and working with their hands that it suddenly struck me that in the past two months, I had neglected the “art component” of their travel curriculum.

At home, we have an art area with a table and chairs and  a cabinet with supplies that is always accessible for them to use. And, they can often be found sitting there, in their own little worlds… creating.

The day after the pottery experience, it rained. The Dudes went to the tiny supply closet in the RV, got out construction paper, scissors, tape, markers and a stapler. It was almost as if the “clay time” the day before had jump started their “right brains”. They spent the next two hours creating jets with movable components and little paper pilots. They then, spent the rest of the afternoon happily playing with their creations. All of this, again, without any parental prompting.

Their initiative, motivation and passion shows a need to exercise their “right brains” as well as their “left brains” and I am so glad that they reminded me, in their own way, of that need. Education is more than just bookwork. And, music, physical education and art are all important aspects of educating the whole child.

To see ANY child so happy, motivated and proud of their work makes one stop and rethink the whole educational process and wonder how we could ever consider cutting these “extra” programs.

Our days are very busy and we are always on the move but I will try to remember to educate the “whole child” during the rest of the trip. If I forget, I’m sure the Dudes will let me know. I just hope I can be alert enough to listen.

“Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence” Joseph M. Calahan, Director of Cooperate Communications, Xerox Corporation.