Homemade sandcastle flags

Have you ever thought to make your own sandcastle flags? They are usually just a round thin wooden stick with a rectangle or triangle of paper attached to the top.

Building sandcastles is a typical childhood summertime activity and flags are often a last minute thought, even when just arriving at the beach. When the sun goes in behind a cloud, (well in a British summer, that happens), what better thing for young children to do than build a sandcastle.  Did you make sandcastles as a child?

 And, isn't waiting for a summer holiday is a difficult thing for children to do! Here we are preparing with a physical activity where their thoughts are, and can still be, focused on what they want to think about - their summer holiday or trip to the beach. When children use their hands doing a craft activity, it keeps them busy, making it easier to control any excitement and keeps them calmer too.

Flags can be made as simple or elaborate as you like - use any craft materials you have to hand. All you need are BBQ kebab sticks which will stand easily in sand. (better for using than flat lolly sticks as they are less likely to blow over in the wind) .

Depending on your child's nature and interests you could make cute ones, pretty ones, funny ones or themed ones. They can be hand drawn and coloured or decorated with googly eyes, foam shapes or glitter. You could add ribbons to the top, which will blow in the wind. The opportunities are endless.
Paint will run if it gets wet (acrylic paint will last longer), the same with felt tipped pens but of course, that depends how disposable you want them to be. If you really are wanting to economise you could make some which will last year in, year out by using felt or fabric. Round, thin wooden BBQ kebabasticks can be cut easily with a pair of scissors by children so they can make their flags as small or large as they like.






www.zoeainsworthgriggbooks.com

  Almost any embellishment will do.  see more at

 https://uk.pinterest.com/zainsworthgrigg/art-projects/

Review of "Cinderella"

Review of Cinderella at the Wellesley

Preserved Cinema The Wellesley in Wellington hosts Disney's new release, "Cinderella" .

Everybody loves the intimacy of the theatre and everybody loves a good fairy story. This week the two are entwined.

One of Wellington's best loved venues, the local cinema, is a link with the past. It has 1930's decor and a family atmosphere. Grandparents take grandchildren there to relive the past.
It was perfectly matched this week with Kenneth Brannagh's new production of "Cinderella." Given five stars by the Guardian newspaper, the film is a masterpiece and true to the original story.
Animation and human peformance are seamlessly woven together so that we are transported into a fairyland and a magical experience. We truly do suspend disbelief and immerse ourselves in a totally cinematic experience.

Unlike the animated version previously made by Disney, Kenneth Brannagh has adhered to the true nature of fairy stories. The feminists criticised Cinderella for teaching little girls to only desire a husband and no other pursuits.

This completely undermines the true nature of a fairy story. Fairy stories are deeply psychological and speak to a child's unconscious mind. Rather than getting married being the goal, "Cinderella" is a coming of age story which is the discovery of the male and female side to the psyche and integrating the whole personality at a time around puberty. It is about finding the nature of the true self and  maturity in finding that illusive perfect sexual partner.

In this version of the story, a happy childhood is included making Cinderella a rounded personality able to deal with misfortune and embrace the main message of the film which is " courage and kindness." An admirable lesson with which to guide our children.

brought to you from www.zoeainsworthgriggbooks.com