Nail Polish for Girls and BOYS?
Brittany McCabe
Nail Polish for girls & BOYS?!
Because all kids should have FUN
Nail polish is not just for girls anymore! In my house, art is big, getting messy is big, and freely exploring is big. As a child development specialist, I know the importance of creative play, dramatic play, artistic play, and any other type of play. For young children, play is everything. It is how they learn, process, and make sense of their world. When I became a mom, I couldn’t wait to expose my kids to textures, sounds, and colors. My daughter took onto art and messy play, like a fish to water. Creating of some kind became her favorite activity. In our house, I have a kid’s art table set up next to a bookshelf filled with different art that is accessible at all times of the day. For some, this is too much, but mess does not scare me. Markers, crayons, paint, playdough, glue, scissors, etc. are an arm’s reach and constantly used. When my son came along, he quickly followed in his sisters’ footsteps and jumped into the creative pool headfirst.
My son is the type of kid who is usually always covered from head to toe in something, be it dirt or markers. He has always enjoyed a good sensory experience. One day I was painting my daughter’s nails and my son said “mommy! Jack, too!” I repeated, “you want color on your nails, too?” He replied with an excited “yes!” This was the start to a whole new explorative road. He picked out his colors and marveled at his newly painted bright toes…then asked me to do his hands! I didn’t bat an eye. To me, this is another form of art, creative expression, and imagination.
There are some serious benefits of encouraging your child’s sense of wonder and creativity. When children engage in art, creative thinking, or dramatic play it helps to foster their social and emotional growth and development. The act of self-expression helps a child process, cope, and make sense of their feelings. When children play and create, it gives them an opportunity to make sense of their environment and their unique experiences to the world around them. Not only this, but when they are given outlets to freely create, given independent choices, and encouraged to make something their own, it boosts self-confidence. So, you better believe when my son asks for color on his nails, I encourage it!
Back in 2011 J.Crew posted an ad with Jenna Lyons, the creative director painting her son nails pink. The ad portrayed how she and her son enjoy their weekend quality time and how much fun they have painting their toenails neon pink. This mama total gets it! She knows her son just wants to have fun and he loves pink. Plain and simple. With more and more parents encouraging rather than stifling their child’s creativity, I have started to see little boys all over with painted nails and knew there was a need to support and promote this creative kid, like my son; thus, The Alpha Kids was born.
Be original, be creative, be super!
Brittany McCabe, M.A.
