This box is designed to provide your child with the tools for creative success with materials chosen specifically for this artist. They are age and developmentally appropriate to encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and a chance to experience the joy of a successful creation. The grounded gem experience emphasizes the process of making art, not the product. When this artist uses the materials, do they love the way it feels? Does the easy application make them feel empowered? Are they smiling? Something as simple as a scribble drawing can be a representation of an artist’s excitement that they can create, they can choose colors, they can leave their mark. And that is the empowerment and excitement we want everyone to have. At this age, we encourage any type of art-making process and the sensory experience. Feel free to use some of the directives below or just enjoy an open art experience with the materials provided. Either way, the experience is of great therapeutic value!

When fine motor skills are difficult, we want to encourage the creative process by tapping into their strengths and other skills. Using squeeze glue is great to increase fine motor strength as well as the action of picking up the pieces to glue together. This requires a lot of coordination that we don’t always give enough credit too. In the directives below, there are adaptive ways to create art without concentrating on fine motor skills. We want to build self- esteem and have their experience be enjoyable so they feel more comfortable creating. That is why there are also thicker materials that are easier to use. As enjoyment and creativity increase, we can gradually promote more specific skills.