Art's a good start in enjoying life
Numbers and letters aren't the only important things in life. Sometimes it is great to let kids show off their hidden talents
THERE is a world of education taking place in Sheffield that has nothing to do with school.
Children in every corner of the city are finding new skills and improving old ones without thinking they are doing anything more than having fun.
Most kids have a go at crayoning or making dough models from time to time but there are lots of others who take their artwork to another level.
They are letting their imaginations run riot and ending up with all kinds of weird and wonderful creations.
There were tables and boards overflowing with the talents of proud kids at Sheffield Fayre this week.
It didn't matter whether they were great at maths, top of the class with spelling or knew their science - all that was really important was they were given the chance to shine at something they love.
The youngsters beamed with pride as show visitors peered at their works of art and took time out to read their poems.
There were miniature gardens blooming with colour and scarecrows wearing huge smiles alongside decorated wellies with crazy faces.
Some of the youngsters had put their efforts into decorating buns while others had tried their luck at making models.
There were also wacky animals made only from vegetables and enormous sunflowers which had needed weeks of attention.
The Friend of Norfolk Park, volunteers who help organise the annual show, want to get children as involved as possible.
Absolutely anybody can enter as many categories as they want - and lots do with words of encouragement from parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
The younger generation's exhibits are all formally labelled and given pride of place in the big marquee.
Some win prizes, others are given certificates and all love the praise they get for having a go.
Lewis Waller scooped several awards for categories as wide ranging as impressive sunflowers and wooden models.Being able to share his artistic talents means even more to Lewis and his family because he is dyslexic.
The 13-year-old spends a lot of his time on art and his mum Lesley is pleased he has a positive hobby.
She said: "I like him doing it because he is using his imagination and initiative rather than playing computer games or watching television.
"He loves making models from scratch and he has loved making things right from when he was very young. In the first year at school his teacher gave him all the toilet rolls to make a rocket and he had done it all before anybody else had worked it out and started."
The children's entries come from an interesting range of classes, neighbourhoods and types of families.
There are some who have private art tutors, youngsters who are home educated, children who don't do particularly well at school and others who just try it because they have a spare half hour.
Isobel Frost won a prize in the drawing section and was thrilled that other people had seen her talent.
She shares her love of art with many other youngsters but feels confident enough to keep improving her skills thanks to a bit of encouragement from adults.
The 10-year-old said: "I do a lot of art because I like it. People encourage me because they say I'm good at it.
"I haven't won any awards for it in the past, I just like doing art."
Sisters Joy and Bethan Heard were very proud of their entries and delighted to let other people see them.
Joy, aged eight, said: "I enjoyed making them all. It was really fun making the face of the scarecrow. You had to put wool in it then try to shape it."
Bethan, who is seven, said she loved sticking things and often tried to make crafts at home.
Lots of horticultural shows take place in South Yorkshire every summer and most welcome children's entries.
Nobody minds if it is a first attempt at a scarecrow or icing skills that have been carefully crafted over years.
It is all about having fun, trying something new and realising not everybody is good at the same thing.
The fact kids can't help but learn something along the way is an added bonus.
Got a view? Leave a comment below.
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