A picture's worth at least 1,000 words

Creating a photo album or scrapbook is a fun, creative activity for the entire family, especially during the holiday season. It provides an opportunity to spend quality time with your children and partner, offers Kenneth N. Condrell, professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University at Buffalo (N.Y.).

An avid photographer and family therapist, Condrell believes that photographs provide families with the opportunity to hold on to those special times in life. "Photos last and are always there to help us revisit wonderful moments in our lives," he says. "With photos, we have a record of our relationships and of our life."

To begin the process, look for a red or green album or scrapbook that can be displayed and be kept within easy reach of your children. Make sure it is of archival quality--meaning that no PVC is used, a chemical that can destroy photographs over time. Have your children help select the album. This will motivate them to participate in putting the pictures together and give them a sense of ownership.

Plan to create the album immediately after the holidays to keep it "evergreen" and make it easier to assemble photos in the order you wish. Help children with event chronology, but let them be the "supervising editor." Keep it fun! Do not argue about what picture takes precedence over another. The more enjoyable the activity, the greater the likelihood of it becoming a family tradition. Each time you begin a new album, review the older ones to revisit and refresh memories.

Buy the size photo album that fits each event, such as vacations, birthdays, sports, the school year, parties, and graduations, as well as moments with brothers and sisters, cousins, grandparents, etc. Also, consider scrapbooks--photo albums that include special mementos, ribbons, handwritten captions, etc. Small inexpensive kits are available for children that will expand photo albums into art projects they will cherish their entire lives. Finally, choose inks and photo papers designed to last without fading, and use page protectors to shield them from moisture, dust, and dirt.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning