Knowledge Channel's online arts and crafts show "Art Smart" celebrated a year of helping kids express their creativity through simple to-do art projects with a special episode wherein host Teacher Precious Gamboa was joined in Zoom by students for the first time.

Since the show's launch last year on the Knowledge Channel Facebook page and SeenZone Channel on Kumu, Teacher Precious would be the only one on screen as she conducts her art class. But in the anniversary special, kids and their parents were with her in Zoom, offering more interaction among them.

"The energy is different when you interact with children directly like you can hear their voices, their facial expressions, and their work in detail. It really makes you feel happy, and teaching them becomes more personal when you are with them. The feedback is also immediate, making it fun for me as their teacher," Teacher Precious shared.

Nevertheless, she is grateful for the opportunity to reach and teach more kids through their usual virtual setup.

"Limitations foster creativity. Because the show is streaming online, I can reach more students even if they're far away. Plus, since it's recorded, they can watch it anytime. In other words, these limitations helped us not only reach more people but also make the show more accessible and enjoyable to the kids," she added.

According to Teacher Precious, art can help children and even adults cope with stress especially during a pandemic.

"Art can be a form of self-expression. When we express ourselves visually, we can further process the things and happenings around us. It reflects our thoughts, feelings, and wishes and helps children realize their emotions as they make a souvenir or time capsule of their experiences through art," the Art Smart host elaborated.

The anniversary special with the theme "My Art Smart Journey" highlighted the artworks of young students who joined Teacher Precious in her weekly art workshop throughout the year as they make a 3D gallery out of coloring materials and colored paper showcasing their favorite creations.

Teacher Precious also got to sit down with special guest Teacher Rizalina Plan of Malabon Elementary School to share her experiences and insights on teaching kids arts and crafts.

As part of its ongoing School at Home campaign, Knowledge Channel introduced the show to hone children's creative thinking and promote self-expression through teaching various art techniques, fun project-making activities, and much more with the help of Teacher Precious while staying safe at home.

It also helped many teachers nationwide to teach young students arts and crafts despite limitations brought by distance learning efforts.

Kids can join in the fun with Teacher Precious in "Art Smart," with new episodes airing live weekly every Friday, 11 AM on Knowledge Channel's Facebook page and Kumu's SeenZone Channel.

Previous episodes of "Art Smart" also air on Knowledge Channel via cable, direct to home satellite and digital TV (DTT) every Tuesday at 4 PM, with replays on Thursday and Saturday at the same timeslot.

Visit knowledgechannel.org for more educational materials and the latest updates on Knowledge Channel.