Preparing a Birth Pool for your Homebirth July 30, 2009

If you’ll be giving birth at home, consider using a birthing pool.  Whether or not you decide to deliver in the water, you may enjoy laboring in a warm birth pool.  At one reader’s request, I did some research for choosing and preparing your birth pool.

Your midwife may offer pool rental services.  This is an eco-friendly choice, since professional grade pools can be reused to avoid waste.  Be sure to ask questions so you understand what type of pool you’ll be using.  Will it be big enough for one or two persons?  Maybe you’ll want your partner to support you while you labor.  Are the sides comfortable to lean against and high enough for your liking? 

Also, what about toxicity?  Most birth pools are made of vinyl, a phthalate-filled plastic that emits toxic fumes.  Unfortunately, vinyl seems to be the only reasonable option for an inflatable pool, but there are ways to limit the toxicity.  A new pool should be inflated and aired outside for 3-7 days (the longer the better), which will help toxic VOC’s to release.  Your midwife probably provides a reusable pool with single-use liners.  Ask if she can air out the liner for you, or leave it with you so that you can air it out.  If your midwife’s reusable pool doesn’t include a liner, find out what cleaners she uses to disinfect the pool.  Harsh cleaners must be rinsed excessively, so your baby isn’t born into a chemical soup.  If at all possible, choose to rent a pool with a single-use liner, so cleaners aren’t necessary. 

You may also choose to purchase your own birth pool.  Don’t worry about getting one with a heater built-in.  Vinyl easily retains heat, so this isn’t a problem for most births.  One of the most popular birth pools is actually a kiddie pool!  The Aquariumfishy pool has a padded floor and high sides that make it perfect for birthing.  Moms report excellent results with this pool, which is sturdy and strong enough to lean against.  Its affordable price ($30-40) makes it single-use without the need of a liner.  But, buying and throwing out a toxic vinyl pool every time you give birth is not so eco-friendly. 

I’ve only come across one birth pool made with phthalate-free vinyl – Birth Pool in a Box Eco.  At $190, this birth pool is not cheap, but it’s certainly well-made.  I can find nothing but good reviews!  It has a seat, handles for stabilization, adjustable height and disposable liners.  You’ll still want to air out this pool, but you’ll rest a little easier knowing that the plastic is more eco-friendly and non-toxic than other options.  Buy an extra liner for use when you do a test run.  And, when you’re done, you can store it carefully for your next homebirth or sell/give it to someone else who can use it!  The plastic can be damaged by extreme heat or cold, so store at room temperature. 

After purchasing or renting your pool, you’ve got some more work to do.  You’ll want to test drive the pool.  This sounds silly until you realize how many things can go wrong!  You need a tarp to place underneath to protect your floors and discourage slipping.  Next, you’ll need a pump for inflating the pool.  Depending on your pump, it can take 30 minutes+ to inflate.  If it takes long, consider keeping your pool inflated those last 2 weeks to cut down your setup time. 

To fill your pool, you’ll need an aquarium hose or RV hose that runs to your sink.  The shorter the hose the better, so as to keep that water warm.  Add to that an adapter so that your hose can be fitted to a sink in your house.  No, you don’t want to use a garden hose instead.  There are hygenic problems with that approach!  When you fill the pool, you’ll ideally use cold water for the first bit and then go to hot.  This is so that the plastic is not damaged by exposure to scalding hot water.  Lastly, you’ll need a method for emptying and deflating the pool.  The bucket approach works, but will take a looooong time.  With a newborn at hand, this is not a good time for tedious tasks. 

So many steps!  That’s why you need to do a trail run.  The trial will give you confidence that your pool is airtight and watertight, plus it’ll ensure that you have all the right parts on hand for the big day.  Be sure to time how long setup takes, so you know during labor what to expect.  You can shop for all the various waterbirth supplies to inflate/deflate and fill/empty your birth pool at Your Waterbirth.

Enjoy your birth!

Autism: Its the Environment, Not Just Doctors Diagnosing More Disease July 28, 2009

California’s sevenfold increase in autism cannot be explained by changes in doctors’ diagnoses and most likely is due to environmental exposures, University of California scientists reported.

The scientists who authored the new study advocate a nationwide shift in autism research to focus on an array of potential factors in the environment that babies and fetuses are exposed to, including pesticides, viruses and chemicals in household products.

“It’s time to start looking for the environmental culprits responsible for the remarkable increase in the rate of autism in California,” said Irva Hertz-Picciotto, an epidemiology professor at University of California, Davis who led the study.

Throughout the nation, the numbers of autistic children have increased dramatically over the past 15 years. Autistic children have problems communicating and interacting socially; the symptoms usually are evident by the time the child is a toddler.

More than 3,000 new cases of autism were reported in California in 2006, compared with 205 in 1990. In 1990, 6.2 of every 10,000 children born in the state were diagnosed with autism by the age of five, compared with 42.5 in 10,000 born in 2001, according to the study, published in the journal Epidemiology. The numbers have continued to rise since then.

To nail down the causes, scientists must unravel a mystery: What in the environment has changed since the early 1990s that could account for such an enormous rise in the brain disorder?

For years, many medical officials have suspected that the trend is artificial — due to changes in diagnoses or migration patterns rather than a real rise in the disorder.

But the new study concludes that those factors cannot explain most of the increase in autism.

Hertz-Picciotto and Lora Delwiche of the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences analyzed 17 years of state data that tracks developmental disabilities, and used birth records and Census Bureau data to calculate the rate of autism and age of diagnosis.

The results: Migration to the state had no effect. And changes in how and when doctors diagnose the disorder and when state officials report it can explain less than half of the increase.

Dr. Bernard Weiss, a professor of environmental medicine and pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center who was not involved in the new research, said the autism rate reported in the study “seems astonishing.” He agreed that environmental causes should be getting more attention.

The California researchers concluded that doctors are diagnosing autism at a younger age because of increased awareness. But that change is responsible for only about a 24% increase in children reported to be autistic by the age of five, according to the report.

“A shift toward younger age at diagnosis was clear but not huge,” the report says.

Also, a shift in doctors diagnosing milder cases explains another 56% increase. And changes in state reporting of the disorder could account for around a 120% increase.

Combined, Hertz-Picciotto said those factors “don’t get us close” to the 600% to 700% increase in diagnosed cases.

That means the rest is unexplained and likely caused by something that pregnant women or infants are exposed to, or a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

“There’s genetics and there’s environment. And genetics don’t change in such short periods of time,” Hertz-Picciotto, a researcher at UC Davis’ M.I.N.D. Institute, a leading autism research facility, said in an interview Thursday.

Many researchers have theorized that a pregnant woman’s exposure to chemical pollutants, particularly metals and pesticides, could be altering a developing baby’s brain structure, triggering autism.

Many parent groups believe that childhood vaccines are responsible because they contained thimerosal, a mercury compound used as a preservative. But thimerosal was removed from most vaccines in 1999, and autism rates are still rising.

Dozens of chemicals in the environment are neurodevelopmental toxins, which means they alter how the brain grows. Mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, brominated flame retardants and pesticides are examples. While exposure to some — such as PCBs — has declined in recent decades, others — including flame retardants used in furniture and electronics, and pyrethroid insecticides — have increased.

Household products such as antibacterial soaps also could have ingredients that harm the brain by changing immune systems, Hertz-Picciotto said.

In addition, fetuses and infants might be exposed to a fairly new infectious microbe, such as a virus or bacterium, that could be altering the immune system or brain structure. In the 1970s, autism rates increased due to the rubella virus.

The culprits, Hertz-Picciotto said, could be “in the microbial world and in the chemical world.”Marla Cone is the Executive Editor of Environmental Health News, which compiles media and original reporting on health and environmental topics.

“I don’t think there’s going to be one smoking gun in this autism problem,” she said. “It’s such a big world out there and we know so little at this point.”

But she added, scientists expect to develop “quite a few leads in a year or so.”

The UC Davis researchers have been studying autistic children’s exposure to flame retardants and pesticides to see if there is a connection. The results have not yet been published.

“If we’re going to stop the rise in autism in California, we need to keep these studies going and expand them to the extent possible,” Hertz-Picciotto said.

Funding for studying genetic causes of autism is 10 to 20 times higher than funding for environmental causes, she said. “It’s very off-balance,” she said.

Weiss agreed, saying that “excessive emphasis has been placed on genetics as a cause. “The advances in molecular genetics have tended to obscure the principle that genes are always acting in and on a particular environment. This article, I think, will restore some balance to our thinking,” he said.

Some issues related to whether the increase is merely a reporting artifact remain unresolved. There could be other, unknown issues involving diagnosis and reporting, scientists say.

The surge in autism is similar to the rise in childhood asthma, which has reached epidemic proportions for unexplained reasons. Medical officials originally thought that, too, might be due to increased reporting of the disease, but now they acknowledge that many more children are asthmatic than in the past. Experts suspect that environmental pollutants or immune changes could be responsible.

Autism has serious effects, not just on an individual child’s health but on education, health care and the economy.

“Autism incidence in California shows no sign yet of plateauing,” Hertz-Picciotto and Delwiche said in their study.

 

Note: This was first published on Environmental Health News, one of Healthy Child’s trusted sources of information. It is reprinted with permission.

Courtesy of Healthy Child Healthy World: a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.

Children’s Books for Summer July 27, 2009

I know that summer is halfway over, but it’s taken me this long to gather together a decent collection of children’s books!  I’ve brought home many a dud from the library lately.  I guess I’ve had bad luck.  Now you don’t have to!

Peter in Blueberry Land by Elsa Beskow (a definite favorite!)

A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

Swimmy by Leo Lionni

When the Sun Rose by Barbara Berger

Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran (more for children 4+)

My Life with the Wave by Catherine Cowan

Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni (really any time of year)

Respect and Preserve the Ocean this Summer July 25, 2009

It seems I have never posted about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.  Do you know about this?  It’s an area in the Pacific ocean of dense, floating plastic garbage that amounts to an area… oh,twice the size of Texas!!!  I didn’t need another reason to hate plastic, but here it is.  You can easily get a feel for the problem and how it effects our world through this brief YouTube video The Garbage Patch. 

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch gives me the willies.  But there are other concerns.  Chemical sunscreens (which are also unhealthy for humans) kill coral reefs, runoff from our gutters pollutes the waters, and people tramping through sand dunes lead to erosion and loss of habitat.  

A trip to the ocean is a wonderful summer excursion, one that only gets better with kids.  Let’s enjoy the sea – responsibly.  Here’s a great article Save Our Shores! Go Green to Keep the Ocean Blue, by Elizabeth Barker, that has some helpful tips, including reminders to:

• Respect the Reefs
• Find a Safe Beach
• Choose a Safe Sunscreen
• Reduce Run-off

I especially appreciated the suggestion to make gathering trash at the shore a regular part of my family’s trip to the ocean.  What a simple way to teach our children about the importance of caring for the earth, even doing more than “our part” to be part of the solution!

Washing Cloth Diapers in a Front Load Washing Machine July 23, 2009

Everyone knows that front loading washing machines are more efficient, using less water and less detergent to do the job.  So, if you plan to use cloth diapers (and wash them at home) you’ll want a front loader, right?

Maybe not.

While some mamas manage to make front loaders work, everyone seems to agree that they make washing diapers a bit more challenging – precisely because they use less water.  Think about it: you’re washing something lightweight that’s highly absorbent.  The machine automatically gives the load little water, and the diapers suck it up, with only a bit left over in the wash.  This can lead to stinky diapers, that aren’t fully clean, and detergent build-up, because of incomplete rinsing. 

I cloth diapered with BumGenius Pocket Diapers for about 6 months, washing in a top loading machine.  Then, I had to switch to a fancy, top-of-the-line front loader for about 9 months.  I immediately smelled a difference!  I tried using less detergent.  I also changed from doing a pre-rinse before my full hot/cold wash to doing a full cold wash before my hot/cold wash.  Neither change seemed to really make a difference.  When I was able to switch back to my top-loader, the smell significantly subsided. 

Well, I wondered if it was just me until I received an email from a customer who experienced the same smell-issue when she got a new front loading washing machine.  After some research online at DiaperSwappers.com, here are some tips for washing cloth diapers successfully with a front load machine:

• Don’t use too much detergent – 1 tbsp is a standard, though you may need less
• Switch to Tide HE powder detergent – mom’s with top loading machines say they see an immediate improvement when they switch to this product (especially an improvement over natural detergent brands)
• Use options for extra rinse, extra water and presoak whenever possible.  Anything that puts more water in the load will help avoid the stinkies.
• Do at least 2 full cycles (one cold, one hot – both with extra rinses).  If you’re still having troubles, try adding a 3rd cycle.  This can make a load take 3 hours to wash… which is why a top loader is more convenient.
• Tricks for “tricking” the machine to put more water in each load
  • Use delicate or hand wash cycles, which automatically use more water
  • Manually shorten the spin between cycles (and never use spin max extract), because the water left in will make the diapers seem heavier to the machine.  The machine will respond by adding more water to the next cycle.
  • Pour a few gallons of water into the machine through the soap dispenser during the wash cycle.  This seems to be the last resort for those that are desperate!

If you have any tips to add, please share!

Why & How to Find a Midwife or Doula July 21, 2009

When you’re pregnant (if not before) you’ve got to investigate all of your options.  Is your OB-GYN making you feel comfortable and capable?  Finding time to answer all of your questions?  Helping you prepare emotionally and intellectually for childbirth?  If you’re not happy with your current caregiver, it’s not too late to make big changes (provided you’re not already 36 weeks!). 

A midwife’s model of care is totally different than an OB-GYN.  While an OB is trained to be well-versed in medical ways to address problems during childbirth, a midwife is trained to appreciate the process of childbirth as a natural, powerful and sacred event.  And, she brings natural tools for addressing problems and pain of which an OB is often completely unaware.  An OB views birth as something to be controlled or “made-safe”.  A midwife views birth as something to gently assist (both physically and emotionally)  and respect – it’s already safe in most cases. 

Of course, these are just generalizations – there are many exceptions to the rule.  The first midwife I interviewed was discouraging and controlling!  But, the other two I hired were wise, respectful and reassuring.  I encourage you to consider the care of a midwife and/or that of a doula, who can make a tremendous difference in how you’ll feel about your birth experience.  Each birth is a unique, miraculous experience that only occurs once.  It’s yours to be enjoyed – yes, really!

Here are some great links for beginning your search:

http://www.midwife.org/
http://cfmidwifery.org/index.aspx
http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php

Local vs. Organic Produce – What to Buy? July 16, 2009

When it comes to food, buying organic is buying the best for our families and our world.  Pesticides are clearly a problem, and poison-free fruits and vegetables are definitely the way to go when you’re feeding young children.  But what do you do when the summer’s bounty offers you the choice of buying organic or picking your own at a local blueberry farm?  After all, buying local reduces so much waste in the form of dollars and fossil fuels.  It also supports farmers near you, possibly reducing pollution, crime and destruction of natural habitats.  To top it off, the food will certainly be fresh – which means more nutrients in every bite.  If the idea of eating locally interests you, be sure to read Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  It’s a gem of a book!

I was talking with my girlfriends about this quandary: local or organic?  Of course, we all wish we could have our cake and eat it too.  And, sometimes you can.  With CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) becoming more and more popular, it’s not too hard to get local, organic vegetables on a regular bases.  I think it’s the fruit that presents a real problem.  Have you ever gone to the store, hoping to indulge in some organic berries or peaches only to discover that the extremely limited organic options are quite uninviting?  Moldy berries or rock-hard peaches won’t win my money, organic or not.  That’s when I may head over to the conventional fruit stands, and none too pleased. 

But, with a little planning, you can buy local fruit with ease during the summer.  Search for local farms that offer pick-your-0wn.  Harvesting is a fun, education outing for young children!  It makes kids appreciate good fruit and it’s value so much more!  Plus, you’ll save a few dollars by picking.  PickYourOwn.org seems to be the largest database of farms that offer this service.  It’s organized by state, but doesn’t have a very nice layout.  Often there are better farm databases on a state-by-state basis, so do some searching online.

If you don’t have time to pick your own, buy locally at roadside stands in the country or farmer’s markets in the city.  Again, you can scout out farmer’s markets online at Local Harvest.  When you buy, don’t assume it’s local.  Go ahead and ask where things you are interested in were grown.  It’s not unusual to find food imported from across the country at a roadside stand.  And, just by asking, you can share your preference to buy local.  That’s how business is changed – one voice at a time. 

However you eat locally, you interact closely with people that grow your food.  This presents a unique opportunity to influence their growing methods.  Maybe they don’t garden organically, but maybe they would… if they knew that was so important to you.  Maybe they do garden organically, but they aren’t certified.  Encourage them to keep it up the good work!  And that’s why it’s a toss up when you consider eating organically or eating locally.  Both options are exponentially easier on the earth than eating conventional produce from the grocery store.  Both choices, eating local and eating organic, are a vote for a safer, healthier tomorrow.  When you can’t find organic in the store – go out and find a farm near you!

Creating an Art Studio for a Young Child – Part 5 July 14, 2009

Part 5: Organization

Last night, while my husband assembled our new Ikea art table and storage bookcase, I scrambled to make sense of our growing stash of supplies.  For the last week, the kids have been painting and gluing whenever they find a spare moment .  I can’t wait to share their excitement over the new set up, with all the glorious room and accessible shelves.  Here’s how I organized our supplies!

At the Table

I placed a large basket at the table for supplies they are likely to use everyday (like scissors and crayons) and supplies I’d like to encourage them to use (like modeling beeswax and paper scraps), which might get lots among the wonders on the art shelf.  I expect to rotate some of the speciality supplies in this table basket.  It’s a fun way to keep things fresh.  Otherwise, I kept the table wide-open.  I wondered if I will actually make an effort to continually wipe it clean of crayons marks, or if I’ll be happier to let it take on a scribbly, no-bother allure.

The Lower Shelves

The lowest, most accessible shelves host our collection of collage materials, paint brushes, wacky scissors, glue and etc.  I stored these supplies in open tins, open baskets or Ikea’s Burken jars.  These jars have a push on/off lid, so they’re easy enough for my 2-year-old son to handle.  Baby food jars come in handy too, for storing very small supplies like googly eyes.  I also repurposed some containers – so get creative!  Use neutral-colored containers so the shelf looks organized, rather than overwhelming.  Simple colors and glass jars also help the child to see the supplies… not your containers!  Be sure that your child can actually see everything, without removing lids.

By the way, that basket of paper shreds in the lower right hand corner is not my idea.  My daughter periodically cuts up paper and insists we keep it around.  Sometimes the paper scraps become rain or snow (just imagine that mess!).  I have hopes that Liam (my younger child) will decide to cut and paste that pile to his liking!  Otherwise, it just seems to grow…

In the Middle

Just within my Liam’s reach are the middle shelves.  I bought an extra shelf so that I could create a paper storage area.  It’s the perfect home for construction paper, copy paper and our huge stack of quality coloring paper higher up.  I add my drawings to the construction paper pile so that they can be reused as project materials.  The basket at right is our coloring basket with Stockmar stick crayons, our crayon sharpener and crayon shavings (which we save for craftings).  I’m hoping my 2-year-old will choose to leave that basket be, so as to protect Aria’s 16 piece stick crayons from getting broken.  Liam’s block crayons are in the basket on the table.  There was also a spot for a frame of one of our favorite fairy postcards.  I’ll have to see that it doesn’t get mistaken for an art supply!

Higher Up

Here I’m storing several baskets of paint and a basket with supplies that Aria will use, just out of Liam’s reach.  Then I have some mommy-only access shelves with our Stockmar watercolor painting basket, some ceramic watercolor painting dishes, tissue paper, etc.  At the very top, I bought three large Ikea Branas baskets to store extra supplies out of sight.  The rest of these baskets were happily given to me by my mother when she discovered my lofty art studio plans.  I made use of everything she gave me, because you cannot have enough baskets!

I’d like to Add…

Now that the project is finished, I have discovered a few more things that would improve our set up.  We really could use another bookcase to shelf our supplies.  I know that our stash is going to grow in the next year, and the shelf is already stocked!  I’m going to ask my husband to build a shallow shelf that hooks to the underside of our table on one side.  This will allow us to store large items like our coloring pads, wooden watercolor boards, over-sized painting paper, etc.

Our double-sided easel is wonderful!  It’s so sturdy and well made.  In fact, I think we may have to start offering those at EuphoriaBaby.com soon!  Having a paper roll on only one side doesn’t make much sense, though, when I’ll have two children painting at one time.  I’d like to add another paper roll set up, and buy some extra paper rolls.  The quality of paper in that roll is very, very nice!

And, at Aria’s request, I plan to add an art line on the wall at her level.  She’s like to hang her art herself, and it would be handy as a self-serve place for paintings to dry.  We can always use more space to display art!

And that’s a wrap! It’s been a blast creating this space for my family.  I hope you can garner some helpful tips for making your own artistic space for your child.  If you’re looking for ideas of playful, open-ended art projects you can do with your child, definitely see one of my favorite new blogs The Artful Parent.  Her blog is quite inspiring!  Here is a list of fun activities she’s still working on bringing to life.

Creating an Art Studio for a Young Child – Part 4 July 10, 2009

Part 3: Stocking up on the Best Supplies… Continued!

Now that you’ve got your basics, here are some ideas your child can grow into.  When it comes to all these options, the best art supplies are the ones that fit your child’s personality, fine motor skills and your ability to cope with the mess!

More Great Art Supplies for Preschoolers & Up

1. Watercolor Paints:  Now you’re in for a treat!  Wet watercoloring is a method of painting that’s classic to the Waldorf tradition.  It involves painting on a wet piece of heavyweight paper, laid flat on a painting board.  The colors come alive, dancing on the page and effortlessly creating beautiful new hues.  Simply purchase red, blue and yellow to bring the entire rainbow to your child in living color.  We use Stockmar’s watercolors, which are made in Germany and used by Waldorf schools around the world.  Palumba has a set of the primaries for $21 that should last for about a year, if you paint weekly.  For a better value, buy the larger bottles!  Wide, flat brushes are ideal – but try what you already have.  Use that large painting paper I recommended in the basic supplies. 
2. Painting Boards:  For wet watercolor, you need a board on which to spread out your paper without any bumps.  Usually, you’ll take this board to your water source and then transport it to the table.  When painting is over, the paintings must dry on the board without being disturbed.  I love a natural wooden board – it’s a beautiful background for your child’s work.  Palumba makes an ideal hardwood board for $15 (medium, 15×21″).  We also use our board as a portable mini work surface for play dough, gluing, etc.
3. Paint jars:  Ok, this one is a luxury.  You can store and use your mixed watercolors in baby food jars.  Or… you can purchase a paint jar holder that prevents tipping for $17.  A 3-jar holder is all you’ll really want.  The wooden base means that an errant elbow doesn’t send all that precious paint across the room.  We found ours at Palumba.
4. Colored Pencils:  You don’t know what you’re missing until you use a nicecolored pencil.  Washable, erasable pencils generally apply poorly.  When your little one is no longer writing on the walls, buy a set of 12 Lyra Ferby colored pencils.  They have a chunky, triangular shape that’s pretty unbreakable.  And, as you know, that triangular shape encourages a proper pencil grip, which will be essential for writing well later on.  Palumba has the best price at $15 a set.  While you’re at it, get the Lyra beeswax crayon sharpener.  It works for these pencils and your Stockmar beeswax crayons too.
5. Glitter Glue:  The only thing more exciting than access to glue is access to glitter glue!  Here’s a way to fulfill their craving for sparkle without the absolute mess that using real glitter involves.  (And more power to you if you give them glitter too).  Available at mass-markers or Discount School Supply at $9 for this six pack.
6. Collage Ingredients:  Feathers, shells, pom poms, ribbon, pipe cleaners, goggly eyes, and the list could go on and on.  There’s no end to the possibilities when you give your child a diverse assortment of materials.  Most of these can be snapped up for a few dollars at Discount School Supply.  Try to limit yourself!
7. Recyclables:   Alright, these are free!  Start saving toilet role inserts, paper towel roles, egg cartons, interesting boxes, smooth-edged cans, etc in a nice basket on your art shelf.  These items make perfect bases for those collage projects.  Can you see a robot in your future?

More Great Art Supplies for Older 4’s & Up

1. Fun-edge scissors:  Now that he finishes a project with a bit more intent, surprise him with some new cuts.  You can find these at your favorite mass-retailer, or online at Discount School Supply where a pack of 12 different edges is just $12.
2. Modeling Beeswax:  When your child starts feeling “too old” for play dough, it’s a great time to introduce this modeling medium.  It’s sold in hard sheets that look like oversize pieces of gum.  You warm it in your hands (or in a bowl of warm water) and the beeswax becomes very pliable.  It’s good work on those fine motor skills for your child to work with resistant beeswax.  When she’s done, the beeswax will cool in the shape she has made and can sit out indefinitely.  To use again – just warm and repeat.  It NEVER dries out!  12 sticks for $20 at the Wooden Wagon.
3. Pastels or Oil Crayons:  A nice addition to your child’s resources is a simple set of soft pastels.  These do tend to break, so don’t invest in an expensive set yet. 
4. Funky Paint Brushes:  She’s ready to experiment with texture and shape.  Combine tempera paint with a set of funky brushes for a whole new look at painting. We have this $8 set of “Wacky” tools from Discount School Supply, and it’s quite fun!

Lots of fun stuff!  Next time I’ll share tips on organizing all this fun in a way that’s engaging, easy-to-access, and nice-looking too!

Creating an Art Studio for a Young Child – Part 3 July 9, 2009

Part 3: Stocking up on the Best Supplies

So this is where it starts getting really fun!  Last night, after the kids went to bed, I unpacked a new box of craft supplies  from Discount School Supply.  Colorful feathers, sparkly pom poms, sea shells, funky paintbrushes, oh my!  I was forced to hide the loot so that we’d be able to get out the door this morning!  Our home studio is going from stocked to super-stocked.  (Note: We are homeschooling, so I have a totally credible excuse for going a little overboard, right?). 

Whatever you buy, make sure it’s high-quality.   Better a small assortment of smooth, vibrant crayons than a huge box of Crayolas.  Your child will appreciate the difference, and you’ll enjoy the results!  Cheap nylon paint brushes waste paint (they hold paint) and don’t apply as nice.  Lightweight paper results in disappointing paintings and drawing with cheap colored pencils is plain frustrating!  When in doubt, avoid everything Crayola.  Don’t plan on finding your supplies at your favorite mass-marketer.  It takes more legwork, but if you buy quality supplies they last longer, work better and add up to more fun!  As any artist will attest, it takes the right tools.

Now, this is not to say that everything has to be expensive.  www.DiscountSchoolSupply is an excellent source for savings and they have free shipping too!  There are items on which to splurge and items on which to save.  If you’re a do-it-yourself kinda person, checkout www.ChubbyPencilStudio (dedicated to eco-friendly supplies),  www.AToyGarden (great prices & service, poor organization), www.Palumba (great prices and best painting supplies), www.ImagineChildhood(sturdy furniture and unique items) and www.theWoodenWagon (excellent assortment!).  Or, save yourself some time and browse through these lists!

Basic Art Supplies for Toddlers & Up

1. Crayons:  Beeswax Crayons from Stockmar.  You’ve got to start with these!  They apply beautifully and smell like honey!  A small pack of 8 sticks or 8 blocks will do at this age.  Learn why block crayons are best for babies and toddlers here. Your 4+ child will enjoy more colors if you can afford it.  If not, she can make every color of the rainbow with those 8 blocks, since they can be blended (ex. blue with a little green over it makes teal).   At the Wooden Wagon:  8 Stick Crayons $12.50, 8 Block Crayons $12.50, 16 Stick Crayons $24. 
2. Blank Paper:  You don’t need coloring books.  They don’t even help!  Coloring on blank paper invites true creativity and doesn’t hem your child in with lines.  Use regular printer copy paper for everyday, if you’re going to give your child free access.  If you’re going to parcel it out a bit or want some paper that won’t show-through when you color on both sides of the sheet, buy heavier paper.  100 sheets of heavy, 160# paper is just $24 at AToyGarden.  And at 9.75″ by 12.75″, it’s just the right size for coloring.  This is what we use at home for our weekly “coloring time.” 
3. Tempera Paint:  Tempera paint has a texture kids enjoy, and is not as messy or as pricey as watercolor.  You can fingerpaint with tempera, if you like, so don’t bother buying special “finger paint.”  Crayola paint looks awful when it dries – cracked and flat.  Plus, it smells strongly of fumes.  I just bought Colorations Simply Washable Tempera Paint, which comes highly recommended.  It’s not as fumy as Crayola, and the prices are great at Discount School Supply – a pack of 11 liter bottles is just $18.60! 
4. Paint Brushes:  At this age, you’ll need one paint brush per paint color being used.  Make it a natural bristle brush.  The cheapest brushes fall apart and may not apply as nicely.  But, don’t get a really nice brush (like those $11-15 brushes) for a 2 or 3 year old.  When your child pulverizes the brush with his painting gusto, you may feel a bit sick to your stomach.  It doesn’t matter if you choose a round or flat brush – your toddler won’t notice.  You can buy brushes at your local craft store, where you can touch to ensure you’re buying a quality brush.  I like to shop online, so I bought a set of 24 Wooden Chubby Brushes for $19 at Discount School Supply.  It’s more brushes than I needed, but the quality is excellent for the price, and they fit perfectly in our paint pots.  Another good choice is the variety set shown here, which retails for just $11.  These brushes will be suitable for watercolor too. 
5. Paint Pots:  I resisted getting these.  Probably because I hate plastic.  But, they’re genius!  Each plastic pot has a non-spill lid that stays on while you’re child paints, plus a second lid that seals for storage.  No more washing out paint pots, waisting paint and time.  If you prep the pots, your child could self-serve paint too, if you’re that brave.  This set is only $6.50 at Discount School Supply.  The color-coding makes it easy for little ones to dip their brush in the right pot, without mixing colors.  Also available in white.
6. Large Painting Paper:  Kids love big paper.  You can use a roll of paper which attaches to your easel or sits on the tabletop ($18 from Imagine Childhood).  Try to find a roll of thick paper, or the paintings aren’t going to be very nice for keeping.  Also buy some large, heavyweight paper (usually considered watercolor paper).  Larger is always better, because you can cut it in half when it suits you.  A pack of 25 premium, 24 x 17.5 sheets is available at Palumba for $8.  I use our paintings on heavy paper to make cards and backgrounds for new projects.
7. Smock & Splat Mat:  These are good investments for your sanity.  Do NOT buy vinyl, which released toxic fumes into the air.  Choose from safe, wipeable options from www.MimitheSardine or even use something made of cloth.  A tablecloth you don’t want makes a find mat – just throw it into the wash from timeto time.  We have cloth apron-smocks, because they’re cute hanging in our art room.
8. Easel:  An easel seems like a luxury for a young child, but I’m sold on the concept.  When my two-year-old paints on a table, he gets paint all over his arms and stomach.  If he uses our tabletop easel, the paint is just on his hands.  In addition, an artist will tell you that painting on a vertical surface provides a better perspective of work-in-progress.  Choose a double-sided easel, preferably with paper attachment and adjustable height.  Ours is a sturdy, plastic-free design from Imagine Childhood for $102.  
9. Play dough:  Kids get a lot out of working with play dough.  It’s three-dimensional and very tactile.  If crumbly, dry-out Crayola play dough just doesn’t do it for you, try Eco-Dough!  The texture is very smooth!  Colors are great.  It’s dyed with natural dyes (which are healthier if ingested).  And…. if it drys out just add olive oil to bring it back!  18 oz (including 5 colors) is $20 at www.ecokidsusa.  At Mama K’s etsy shop, you can buy 20 oz (including 5 colors) for $20 – but her all-natural dough is also scented with essential oils: lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, lemongrass, and geranium.  There are also countless online recipes for making your own dough!
10. Glue:  Here’s something you can pick up from Target.  Good old Elmer’s glue always does the trick.  You can also experiment with stick glues, but most dry out before you have a chance to use half. 
11. Scissors:  Last, but not least, add some child-safe scissors to the mix.  Just look for something with the razor enclosed in plastic, so there is not sharp point.  Your child will joyfully cut and paste for hours on end.  Here’s a good way to put junk mail to use!

Whew!  My list for your 3-4 year old will have to post tomorrow!  But, your time is well-spent getting set with these supplies.  They’re the backbone of your Artist Nook or Dedicated Studio and will be used for years to come!