Photo credit: Smithsonian Archives

Aerial Photograph of National Mall during William J. Clinton Presidential Inauguration (depicting Smithsonian Castle and National Museum of Natural History), 1993, by Carl Hansen, Ektachrome print, ID# 2003-0102, Smithsonian Institution Archives.

4. Get messy with winter art: Icy Salt Paint

We love this winter art project from Hands on as We Grow because it’s so simple yet so fun. Make “icy paint” by combining epsom salt and glue! You might have both on hand already. This project is labeled a toddler project on the website, but we tried it out and think older kids will like it too. Playing with the goopy, salty, gluey paint is also a great sensory exercise.

You know, that moment when it feels like a light switches on? When you have an idea that can help you do something special. Something new.

The origins of CARE Actor:
A story from our CEO, Pooja Chawla

While working with a Conflict Resolution Theater (CRT) team –  AmeriCorps’ City Year in Philadelphia program – I saw first-hand the transformative power of theater. One day, my team and I were extremely late heading up North on the SEPTA bus. We were supposed to perform our improv show for an assembly hall of over 200 kids. Our frantic director and all those kids were waiting. No one was sure what to do.
 
Without time to think, our director did what improv actors are known for: she winged it. Instead of waiting for, she invited the sixth grade students up to the stage and taught them the scenes on the spot. These students performed our show for their peers. When my team arrived we apologized profusely, but we also noticed that something magical had occurred. It was unexpected, yet so worthwhile.
 
These students had blossomed into actors.

Video by Madhavi Reddi for CARE Actor

CRT is an interactive theater production that involves role playing and audience participation. My team of six Corps Members and our director spent an entire month training, learning how to create scenes in the moment, how to follow our instincts, listen to one another, and incorporate audience feedback into the scenes. These sixth graders figured it out in a matter of seconds.
 
Afterwards, these budding young actors were asked to journal about their experiences. Brimming with newfound confidence, they said things like, “I didn’t think I could do this, but I did!” And to this day, I will never forget a young girl who wrote, "I never knew how funny I am."
 
This moment changed the trajectory of my life. Before this, I’d planned to find a “real job.” But now, for the first time, I understood that theater and acting could make children come alive. Of course – deep inside, I already knew this, because theater had done the exact same thing for me. As a painfully shy child, I learned how to express myself through theater. As an adult, I could help other children do the same. My personal mission became helping kids like myself gain self-confidence, in a theater setting.
 
I’m not sure exactly how it works. Perhaps it's because acting allows us to explore aspects of ourselves that we otherwise wouldn't. Perhaps it’s because when you perform there is a witness to your transformation. Regardless, I have come to understand that if you awaken a child’s creativity, you can help that child become his or her best self. Creativity and performance are just the tip of the iceberg, bringing them closer to their own greatness.
 
And that is how the idea of CARE Actor was born.

What about you? Have you noticed a relationship between creativity and character development? What about your children's experience with the arts has suprised you? Sound off in the comments below!

One of the coolest parts of my job is reading books to kids. Some of our books are funny. Some are serious. All relate to the core values of CARE Actor: Confidence, Courage, and Character. You hear about kids not wanting to read. Well, the kids in our classes love stories. In my last class, I actually had to hide the books so the kids wouldn’t start reading before story time! And when I asked about their favorite stories and characters, they wouldn’t stop talking.
 
That’s the power of storytelling, whether it’s for the page, stage, or screen. My favorite kind of story shares a compelling message, but is also fun to read. It’s great to learn and laugh at the same time.
 
With this in mind, we’re sharing a list of 10 picture books (many of which we read and act out classes) that illustrate our core values of confidence, courage and character.

1. Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andrea
Confidence and Individuality

Image credit: Amazon.com

Gerald the Giraffe wants to dance at the annual Jungle Dance, but he is intimidated by the other animals’ dancing abilities. The other animals laugh him off the stage. But he learns to find his own music and his own style.

“ ‘We can all dance,’ he said. ‘When we find music that we love.’ ”

2. Mirette on the High Wire, by Emily Arnold McCully
Courage and Friendship

Image credit: Amazon.com

A young girl in early 20th century Paris befriends a tight rope walker who has retired because he is afraid of failing. As he trains her in the art of tight rope walking, the girl inspires him to try his art again. When he almost fails in his comeback, she joins him on the tight rope.

“ ‘Once you have fear on the wire, it never leaves,’ Bellini said. “But you must make it leave!’ Mirette insisted.”

3. Odd Velvet, by Mary E. Whitcomb. Illustrated by Tara Callahan King
Individuality, Confidence, and Tolerance

Image credit: Amazon.com

The kids at school think Velvet is “odd,” but when they get to know her, they learn these differences aren’t bad at all. Velvet is unique, and she isn’t afraid to be herself. She ends up inspiring the other kids to try new things.

“Little by little, the things that Velvet said, and the things that Velvet did, began to make sense.”

4. The Sandwich Swap, by Kelly DiPucchio. Illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Friendship and Diversity

Image credit: Amazon.com

Two friends from different cultural backgrounds learn to celebrate their differences rather than judge each other or be afraid of things that seem strange or wrong.
 
“Finally, Lily got up the courage to speak. ‘Would you like to try a bite of my peanut butter and jelly?' "

5. Flight School, by Lita Judge
Confidence and Inspiration

Image credit: Amazon.com

A penguin who believes he has the soul of an eagle learns to fly because he is confident, determined, and inspires friends to find an ingenious solution.
 
“Penguin was right. He did have the soul of an eagle.”

6. The Brave Beast, by Chris Judge
Courage and Tolerance

Image credit: Amazon.com

When a group of islanders are terrified of a “monster,” they ask a Beast to help them get rid of the monster. The Beast overcomes his own fears and learns that the monster isn’t scary or bad after all.
 
“The Beast felt very scared. But he decided to be brave and help the islanders.”

7. Dream Something Big, by Dianna Hutts Aston. Collages by Susan L. Roth
Creativity, Hard Work, and Individuality

Image credit: Amazon.com

The true story of Simon Rodia, known to friends and neighbors as Uncle Sam. He spent 34 years collecting “jewels” that other people viewed as trash. Using basic tools, he assembled his jewels into fountains, a ship, towers over six stories high, and more. The Watts Towers are now recognized as a National Landmark.
 
“People no longer call Simon Rodia foolish and crazy. They call him a man of genius who built ‘a gigantic flower of folk art.’ ”

8. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
The Beauty of Imperfection

Image credit: Amazon.com

Beatrice Bottomwell is so determined to be perfect that she’s known in town as the Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. This all changes when her talent show performance goes terribly wrong and she learns to embrace imperfection.
 
“Now, people no longer call her the Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. They just call her Beatrice.”

9. Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein, by Don Brown
Confidence and Ingenuity

Image credit: Amazon.com

This is the true story of physicist Albert Einstein’s youth. Most people discounted Einstein when he was young, because he was different and not a model student. But he believed in his intellect and his unique mind, becoming one of our greatest scientists.
 
“For the world, Einstein comes to mean not fat baby, or angry child, or odd boy, but great thinker.”

10. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, by Peter Brown
Individuality, Courage, and Acceptance

Image credit: Amazon.com

All the animals in town are very proper, but Mr. Tiger feels wild. He flees to the wilderness, but he misses his friends. When he returns, he discovers that his friends are ready to accept his differences.
 
“Now Mr. Tiger felt free to be himself. And so did everyone else.”