A second psychologist named Erickson was instrumental in discovering the psychosocial stages of children relating to their social and emotional development. He discovered that there are 8 stages of man and divides his stages starting at birth and going up through adulthood. Erickson’s work was also a big help to early childhood educators as they were also able to learn how to better deal with their young charges.

Another person that was involved in discovering stages in children was Rhoda Kellogg. She discover the drawing development in children and stages it goes through. It seems that children’s drawings seem to mirror their development in other areas. As they need go grow and develop their fine motor coordination they cannot hold pencils or crayons very well in the beginning. The start out with scribbles, then go to making almost stick figure people and then gradually start making more representational pieces of artwork. The same way you can’t make a child walk before he is ready, you cannot force a child to draw actual times before they are developmentally ready to do so. Children develop at different stages in all areas of their lives and we have to work with where they are.

EzyShaid® Colour have developed a product called FLIPTEZ® which contains eleven colours and black and white in the form of coloured powders which can be mixed or blended into at least 140 new shades. The powders can be blended in blending pots or sprinkled onto the paper and blended by hand or with the applicator supplied. The finished effect is like coloured pencil work except, that the colours are applied evenly, making even the most junior of artist’s work appear crisp and appealing.

Dry shading is not the only use of these coloured powders. A small amount of powder in a little pot, sprayed with water turns it into a delightful water colour medium. While the paint will dry out after some time, a spray with water reactivates it into water colour. It does not corrupt and is very economical.

Some artists have added the powders to acrylic paint to form an interesting finish or texture to their work. Yet others have used them in conjunction with Versa Mark watermark stamp pads to make stunning stamped work or with the Versa Marker pens to create very impressive title pages or greeting cards.

Major murals were completed with FLIPTEZ® at Art Melbourne 2011(750 children contributed to a 3mx1m mural) and at the School Education Expo (over 800 hundred children contributed to a 3mx1.2 mural) held at the Sydney Olympic Park. Each mural, while covered in colour, used less than one pack of FLIPTEZ®. On both occasions cameras clicked as proud parents enthused over their children’s work.

Why not get creative this weekend and add some colour to your life and to the lives of others?

It’s all in the product you use and the planning. Creative Director of EzyShaid® Colour, Sharon Bull pre designed a fabulous mural based on the theme of education and school for the School Education Expo at the Sydney Olympic Park. Her team had pre- cut geckoes, fruits, crocodiles, sporting equipment,letter, numbers, musical instruments and notes for the children to colour or paint using FLIPTEZ®. Some of the pieces were superimposed with stamps making very interesting, individual art pieces. These were then affixed to the skeletal design.

Sharon had strands of fluid, multi-coloured lines to simulate the brain’s ability to absorb ideas and link one thought process with another. Some of the objects projected from the mural causing a wonderful 3D effect. Children were able to showcase their talents by completing the , ”Once upon a time..” story tablets. Each child who chose one of these tablets on which to write and decorate continued the story, ending with a great climax, Hollywood style!

Modern technology was not forgotten nor was the chalkboard or white board as the children decorated and coloured images for the mural. Every participating child signed their name between the fluid lines further progressing the concept that we work better as a team and that we need each other. Of course it also placed value and importance on every child’s contribution.

As the expo was held over the weekend that included the Australian Fathers’ Day, the children were invited to make a card for dad as they waited for their turn on the mural. It was a joy to see so many children totally absorbed in what they were doing and working quietly and well. The general consensus was, that a more well behaved and involved group of children would be hard to find. It can be done!

Please visit www.ezyshaid.com or the Ezyhaid® Colour facebook page to view the completed work. You may also be interested to see the Indigenous mural completed by 750 children at Art Melbourne 2011 earlier this year.

Choosing an aboriginal theme proved a sensational hit with the children. Each child contributed to the 3mx1.5m mural depicting emus, kangaroos, echidnas, turtles, frogs and glorious gum trees as well as water and lily pads. The children enjoyed choosing the colour and size of the dot they would use.

The mural had a combination of mediums as FLIPTEZ® lend themselves so well to shading (all the background), painting and stamping. Flanked by an arrangement of waratahs (also made with FLIPTEZ®) the mural proved a mecca for photographers and visitors. Children queued for the opportunity of trying FLIPTEZ® in the studio and indeed many cried when it was time to leave!

Individual art pieces made by the children included the shading and painting of turtles, goannas and boomerangs as well as free choice and every child made a card using stamps with FLIPTEZ®.  Goannas were popular as were snakes, frogs and possums. Finished cards were treasured and proudly presented to parents for their approval.800 children took part during the 3 day event.

Being organised was the secret of success and the splash of purple covered tables, matching smocks as well fresh paints and brushes made for an exciting experience for all the young Rembrandts!

Melbournians gave the thumbs up to FLIPTEZ® and many households are now the proud owners of these little bottles of colouring magic.

Choosing an aboriginal theme proved a sensational hit with the children. Each child contributed to the 3mx1.5m mural depicting emus, kangaroos, echidnas, turtles, frogs and glorious gum trees as well as water and lily pads. The children enjoyed choosing the colour and size of the dot they would use.

The mural had a combination of mediums as FLIPTEZ® lend themselves so well to shading (all the background), painting and stamping. Flanked by an arrangement of waratahs (also made with FLIPTEZ®) the mural proved a mecca for photographers and visitors. Children queued for the opportunity of trying FLIPTEZ® in the studio and indeed many cried when it was time to leave!

Individual art pieces made by the children included the shading and painting of turtles, goannas and boomerangs as well as free choice and every child made a card using stamps with FLIPTEZ®.  Goannas were popular as were snakes, frogs and possums. Finished cards were treasured and proudly presented to parents for their approval.800 children took part during the 3 day event.

Being organised was the secret of success and the splash of purple covered tables, matching smocks as well fresh paints and brushes made for an exciting experience for all the young Rembrandts!

Melbournians gave the thumbs up to FLIPTEZ® and many households are now the proud owners of these little bottles of colouring magic.

 Michelle, who has movement only in the elbow of her right arm and this she uses to propel her wheel chair. She watched a staff member shading in with FLIPTEZ® by EzyShaid® Colour and said,

“I can do that.”

 Using a tool held in her mouth she indicated how she would use FLIPTEZ® as her new hobby. She was thrilled to add a new medium to her collection of art materials. The patience required to colour this way is daunting! We salute you Michelle and know your efforts will be beautiful.

EzyShaid® Colour has been selected as one of only ten exhibitors for the Diversional Therapy Conference to be held in Melbourne later this year. For such a new product, FLIPTEZ® is being recognised as a medium for able and disabled people, the purpose for which it was invented.

Such was the impression made by FLIPTEZ® that one teacher drove over an hour just to Fair in Adelaide, but couldn’t miss the chance of purchasing as soon as possible for the very special children in her care.

Have a wonderful Easter and colour your day!

The testimonials from children, our most recent buyers are already flowing in to the website;

I am Laura, I am 12 years old.

I bought your FLIPTEZ®  pack with everything together. I love it and have been using it heaps! It’s wonderful! Thanks!

From Tracy: We are having fun with products, Gemma had a birthday craft party.  Everyone could use it easily.     Thanks again.. Tracy.

 Can’t wait to give the EzyShaid  FLIPTEZ® to my artistic daughter for Christmas, I’m sure she will go to your web site and join in on the fun. Will be purchasing more products in the future, kind regards, happy customer, Di.

Had coffee this morning with fellow teachers during the holiday break. They saw my FLIPTEZ® and are heading for the Easter Craft Show to buy for their schools too. Seems like I can’t get the march on them. Sarah

Mum is so thrilled with the artwork I did on Saturday night using FLIPTEZ® that she is getting it laminated for the coffee table. Ashley.

The children I teach have special needs and this is going to let them shine. For once we will have the jump on the rest of the school. Forgive me, but I will not pass on where to get the fabulous FLIPTEZ® until my students have had their,’ Time in the sun’. Helen

We hope to see and meet many of you at the Easter Craft Festival in Adelaide and at the Paper Craft Festival at Panthers in Penrith the following weekend.

Enjoy the balmy weather this Easter and Celebrate the new life!