Special craft

A large table, a stack of papers, colours, paint brushes, aprons, display of art work on the walls, bright curtains, open cupboards and a maze of art and craft supplies, all sit at Tanya Micallef's studio and await the arrival of young ones aged four and above.

Micallef is an art and craft teacher who has a way with children. "We do all sorts of creative things and although they are learning and it is an organised lesson, I don't force the child to do anything they don't want to do. I always have backup activities," says Micallef.

She believes that this is not a rigid subject and freedom of spirit is vital. In every lesson the student either paints or draws and does craft activities like weaving, silk painting, painting glasses, jam jars and bottles, sand painting, painting T-shirts and eggs. Weaving is all about teaching motor skills.

Sand painting unlike in malls allows the child to paint the picture in glue first and thereafter put the colours of sand where they want to. Micallef makes play dough at home for children to play with and teaches them to bake cookies. She also specialises in birthday parties where focus is on constructive art activities.

Micallef has found some of her students to be very gifted where six-year-olds have done craft work normally done by nine- and ten-year-olds. Her lessons are at least an hour with each child where she is able to give them individual attention. At times she also takes a maximum of three children per hour. "I get a lot of satisfaction out of this. However, if I ever feel that I can't teach a child, I would rather tell the parent than keep the child. I believe that while you can deal with every child it is not always that you connect with every child," says Micallef.

The art teacher admits that she has learnt a lot about children from watching them closely and observing how their minds work. She believes that children need to be acknowledged for something special and being in group situations all the time often deprives them the attention.

There are times when parents bring children because they find it hard to engage them at home. Recalls Micallef, "I once had a student who would always run around the room. I made him sit on my lap for two lessons and after each activity allowed him to run around. Gradually he began to develop skills and concentration and today he can sit through the whole lesson." For further details call Tanya Micallef on 050-4564493.