As the editor of the Crafty Kids department at Handmadenews.org, I have the honor of working with some truly amazing and creative people! They never cease to amaze me with the ideas they have and the background with children that they bring to the table. With that in mind, I want to take the time to formally introduce you to each of them, so we'll kick off the series with Robin Hartman. I really enjoy working with Robin; she's committed yet easygoing, thoughtful yet expedient, and well, I'll let her tell you herself! Here's Robin:I am 26 years old. My husband recently switched from the Seminary to Social Work. While he wanted to do ministry, he found that ministry can be done in so many ways. He is in the process of doing historical research and designing games. I teach Freshman English at the college level part-time. I have a Masters in British Literature. I studied fun stuff like the marriage markets, colonization, and the class systems; all of which became passionate topics of research for me. I wrote my thesis on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus which compared Tamora's role as a leader to Queen Elizabeth I's struggles as a new female ruler.
While in grad school, living in a tiny duplex with classroom tiled floors with my husband and two sons and working at the writing center as a tutor then director intern, I discovered that my oldest son still was not talking. We thought it was a phase but his speech delays seemed to delay lots of other things in his life, his eating habits, added to his anxiety and frustration with his daily routines like going to the store, getting dressed, and so forth. He began smacking his entire tiny little body into the brick walls of our duplex. I was afraid to take him outside to play because he didn't seem to understand basic directions like stay out of the road, those aren't your toys, don't pull on other children. I continued to work with him using crafts, cooking, and reading without too much pressure or over stimulation.
After taking him to the doctor, we were referred to First Steps where my little Bailey met with a speech and occupational therapist. The program worked wonderfully for him especially now that we know he has Aspergers. With the help of a wonderful special needs program, he is really excelling and my little guy starts first grade this fall. He is speaks clearer and more completely. He is such a creative little child, both my boys are.
Bailey spent his mornings at preschool which gave me time to do crafts with Jakob. Bailey gets so much attention because we have ha to work with him so much on basic developmental needs. So it was nice this past year that Jakob got some one on one time with me. We would spend mornings painting, drawing, glue, and cutting. I've learned a lot from my little guys.
As for my personal interests, I have a variety of crafting hobbies. My favorites are cross stitch and pattern design. I love making jewelry and doing card stamping. I like playing with recycled materials to make new items. I am an avid board gamer. I like activities that encouraging doing things with my family.
Robin also has an Etsy shop called Snips & Snails. She contributes amazing content to Crafty Kids, but my favorite piece so far is Bracelets for Kids by Kids - Taking A Walk Down KidsCraftyAvenue. Follow this blog and LittleandLearning on Twitter for more profiles coming soon!
~Lori
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