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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Is Our Kids' Creativity On The Decline?

  • A third of parents feel that handheld computers and TV have had a negative impact on creativity *
  • Just 10 per cent of parents get time every day to do creative activities with their children*
  • Professor of early childhood education, Angela Anning suggests top tips for fuss-free creativity

Research commissioned by BIC® Kids has shown that more than a third (34 per cent) of British parents believe electronic gaming is having a negative impact on child creativity, followed by concern over what their what friends think (28 per cent).  The education system, family influences and computer work were also cited as barriers to a young mind’s creative nous.

The research also revealed that in today’s hectic lifestyle, parents can find it hard to find time doing activities with their children – one of the simplest ways to inspire creativity. From the 2,000 parents surveyed, just 10 per cent spend time each day doing creative activities with their children. Under a third of parents (28 per cent) set time aside to be creative once a week, with two per cent of parents admitting to never doing this.

When ranked on a scale of 1-10, 1 being the lowest score, 40 per cent of parents gave their children a score of between 1-5 for their creativity.  And it seems children are concerned about their drawing abilities too, with a third (36 per cent) of primary school  aged children confessing concern to their parents about what others will think of their art work. This rated higher than concern about what others think of their appearance (33 per cent) and school grades (31 per cent).

When asked what the most important qualities are to instil in children, a third (29 per cent) of parents said ‘self-confidence’ and 22 per cent said ‘common sense’. Only 16 per cent thought it was important to instil creativity and imagination in their children.

Angela Anning, Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Leeds, who is working with BIC® Kids said, “It’s interesting to see that creativity ranked third in what parents perceive to be important qualities to instil in their children. Whilst this is still a high score, the ability for creativity to fire the imagination and boost their development can’t be underestimated. Creativity, even the simple pleasures if drawing and colouring, instils confidence and helps develop a sense and understanding of our surroundings. It also plays a central part in many careers, so encouraging children to get creative while they’re young will put them in good stead for their future.” 

Yolande DeTrogoff, marketing manager at BIC said, “We always like to find out more about how kids and parents like to get creative together.  It’s really important for children while they’re young and we want to make it as simple, safe and fun as we can.  It’s great to see that the simple pleasures of colouring and drawing still ranked as one of the number one most enjoyable activity these school holidays, ahead of video games and TV.”

Angela Anning offers parents her top five tips to boost kids’ creativity:

  1. Be interested in your children's creativity and join in on the playfulness
  2. Create the time and space for children to be creative - at the kitchen table, in front of the tv, in the bath...wherever.
  3. Vary the resources your children have to play creatively according to their ages – paint, felt tips, puppets, small figures, boxes, fabrics, wooden spoons, etc.
  4. Tune into your children's individual stories and interests and talk about them - animals, monsters, fairies, engines, cars, etc.
  5. Have fun together exploring music, dancing, painting, drawing, stories and playing.

Notes to editors
Survey conducted by One Poll (August 2011) with a sample size of 2,000 parents with children of primary school age




BiC® Stationery – a history for everyone, everywhere
BiC® was founded in 1950 by Marcel Bich, with the introduction of the first high quality ballpoint pen, at an affordable price.  Today, the BiC® Cristal® pen, with its distinguished transparent hexagonal barrel, has become the world’s preferred choice of ballpoint pen.

The company’s greatest strength has always been to understand the needs of the consumer and to find technical solutions that deliver tangible benefits.  Subsequently, BiC®’s pens can be seen in the homes, office and schools of people around the globe. The range of pens has grown to suit all ages and lifestyles including executives, children, men and women, allowing the choice of pen to be as individual as a person’s handwriting.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Waybuloo Pumpkin Stencils

Hi all!!
As you can properly tell, I love Halloween and pumpkin carving.
I have made some more pumpkin stencils for you. This time they are characters from Waybuloo. I can see my collection is growing fast. I have In The Night Garden and Peppa Pig stencils too.
If you have any requests, please mail me and I will try my best to make the stencil for you.
De Li Pumpkin Stencil
Nok Tok Pumpkin Stencil
Yojojo Pumpkin Stencil
Lau Lau Pumpkin Stencil



Monday, October 17, 2011

My birthday wish list!

So not long until I turn 24 (have I really been around that long!) I think it's fair to say I have had a rather eventful 24 years!
I have put together a wish list of things I would like.

1. Apple iPhone 4S white

2. A Ford Focus ST in orange

3. A pair of Jimmy Choos in size 5

4. Stila In The Light makeup palette

5. Tickets to Lady Gaga's 2012 tour

6. A holiday (sun, sea and sand!)

7. A ride on the London Eye

8.  Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Peppa Pig Pumpkin Stencil

Hi everyone.

This year I have had a go at making a Peppa Pig pumpkin stencil. Last year I did 4 In The Night Garden stencils. I hope this one is as good!

If you don't know how to carve a pumpkin I have some tips which you can read here.

You are welcome to print as many copies of this as you like, or share with your blog readers. All I ask is a link back to my blog!

If you do a pumpkin this year, please share a picture with me as I would love to see!

Keep your eyes peeled for my attempt at this Peppa Pig pumpkin next week!


Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Infacol have a Facebook competition to win £500 premium hamper!

When Jack was bottle feeding he suffered from trapped wind. I tried many different over the counter products and by far Infacol was the best at relieving him. I would give him one dropper to him before each feed and continue to use for several days. I saw a change in the time it took him to bring his wind up and he didn't cry after a feed.
Trapped gas bubbles changing into
larger easier to pass gas bubbles.
Infacol gently helps a baby bring up wind as it's active ingredient - simeticone - helps the little trapped gas bubbles join into bigger bubbles which a baby can easily bring up as wind - helping relieve the pain.
Clinically proven Infacol is the UK's number one selling treatment for wind, infant colic and griping pain, It is suitable to use from birth onwards (unlike gripe waters) and is sugar, alcohol and colorant free with a pleasant tasting natural orange flavour.

Infacol are running a competition over on Facebook giving you the chance to win a £500 premium hamper full of baby goodies. The purpose of the competition is to help raise awareness of Colic and to reach people in a fun and interesting way. To enter all you need to do is answer three really simple trivia questions about Colic.

Good luck!!