In September, I send large folders home to children and their families to decorate, together. Throughout the year, these folders are used to transport their child’s art work each time we send it home. It’s our Art Pony Express, delivering precious cargo all year long. Decorating the folder together is a nice family activity. More importantly, it says that art is important– and a child’s work is important. Because it is.
The folders have been decorated and returned. They are beautiful and heartfelt. Today one of our youngest child’s folder was returned. My throat swelled. So did my heart.
Yes! Art is a universal language. The parents understand. This drawing was hard work for a child who is not yet three-years-old. Look at the focus and multiple colors. The child wanted to say, “I really like art”, yet he does not yet have all those words that are in his heart. What he does have is art tools to speak his words. And he spoke them well.
Yes, art is a universal language.
I have a handful of paperclipped writings and quotes beside my computer. They mean the world to me. When I saw this decorated folder, I immediately thought of “It took me a lifetime to learn to draw like a child.” by Picasso, and “I would like to paint the way a bird sings.” by Monet. This parent eclipsed them and said it best of all.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
So sweet and so much truthfulness to your post and this budding artists folder❤️!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you, Barbie! 🙂
You’re a treasure, Jennie.
Thank you, Luanne.
Beautiful post!
Thank you!
Love this! Art Pony Express — yes.
Thanks so much, Rose! 😊
Lovely quotes, Jennie. Picasso nailed it. The truth of a child’s art is something untainted by style and influence. The colourful spiral says it all.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. I certainly agree. Best to you!
Beautiful story! True. I used to teach art in the schools (volunteer) until they made the rules for doing so much stiffer (which I don’t understand as the teacher is in the room with you.) Kids were the most fun of all to teach! They especially loved it when I said no rules other than only on your own paper!
Thank you so much. Yes, opened ended art is the best. How can a child be an artist if there are stiff rules that close the mind and the heart? It might sound like just words, but it’s true. I’m so glad you had no rules art with your students!
How wonderful. This child is fortunate to have such astute parents. What a good start to life.
Thank you, Darlene!
Lovely idea and post, Jennie. I like that you told them to have the families decorate the folders together. I hope they really did.
Have a beautiful weekend. Hugs!
Thank you, Teagan. Yes, they really decorate them together. Best to you!
Beautiful artwork. I love it and know that it took effort. Great quotes, Jennie, all three. 🙂
Thank you, Diana. I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
How gorgeous, Jennie, and how true. A picture tells a thousand words – to all who see it.
Indeed it does. Thank you, Norah.
How marvelous, Jennie. My niece is now four years old and she makes the most lovely fondant art pieces. It is amazing what these children can achieve.
It really is, Robbie. They just need encouragement and tools.
So beautiful Jennie. So many, young and old have trouble expressing themselves and use art as their medium to express as writers and musicians do too. 🙂 x
I always think of art, writing, and music as the magic trilogy. They are the magicians that change people and change the world. Thanks, Debby.
Absolute truth. 🙂
I really love your thoughts on this and I had never heard the quotes you shared by Picasso and Monet. They were both brilliant painters and obviously well-versed in words as well. 😉
Thank you, Michelle. There are certain quotes that really hit the heart.
❤️
This is a beautiful post Jennie.. Art is indeed so important a form of expression.. And I think this is a splendid idea allowing all the family to get involved.. And yes, precious cargo it is too… I have saved most all of my granddaughters offerings of art and intent to put them in a large folder for her.. I write the age she started painting, which was aged three.. And I allowed her to create some for her parents on canvas, which they proudly have on their hall wall..
You are a wonderful teacher.. And it must be wonderful to be in your class.. 🙂 Oh to be a child again and have you teaching me… Maybe my days at school would not have been so daunting lol..
Much Love Jennie.. ❤
Hugs Sue 🙂
Nice! Wonderful that your little pupil’s parents really do get it!
Thank goodness! When we get deep into art, I think I’ll call the children who pour their souls into their work a “heartist”. This came from a fellow blogger, Laura Bruno. I love it!
Just wonderful of these amazing parents and you know they are the kind who will frame them!
Jennie thanks for reminding us of Monet and Picasso. I did a post with the Picasso quote painted on an art room’s hallway bulletin board! My granddaughter, Marley is standing by a case of art and puppets. 🙂
Wonderful, Robin! And, thank you. 🙂
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Thank you!
so touching and so much truth to this!
Thanks so much!
This is beautiful! I have many of my son’s art projects framed around my home.
Thank you! Having your son’s art displayed is a good thing. 🙂
So true.
🙂
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Much Love Jennie.
Aw, so sweet 🙂
Thank you!