Fun at the Art Table

Everyday the children are experiencing new things and learning to use the materials provided for them in different ways. They are encouraged to use their imaginations so we are constantly amazed with the ways they decide to use each material. Also as time passes the teachers have observed that the children have become accustomed to the materials and are more patient when creating their art.

Tape, scissors, paint, rolls of paper, whatever the materials they enjoy experimenting with it all!

Our inspiration can come from anywhere in the room!

He loves trains and enjoys using the art materials

to create what the teachers observed as

 flags for his train.

He has become more focused on his artwork.

Colorful Sand

This project came about by the children’s interest in colors and their need to say the color of everything they want or use. Because of this interest, the teachers gave them an opportunity to utilize their motor skills and knowledge of colors. We introduced colored sand to the children and it quickly turned into a fun filled project! The children specifically asked for what color sand and what materials they wanted to use. They used things such as spoons, bowls, and containers to manipulate the sand. Using the spoons they scooped the sand and gently poured it into the containers and bowls. The teachers were shocked with how quiet the room was… everyone was working so hard!!

"Look what I draw!"

One of the most important ways that children tune in to their creativity is by experimenting with art materials.  Their art and writing change and become more controlled and complex as they grow. Random scribbling (15months to 2 1/2yrs.) is the period when young children are just figuring out that their movements result in the lines and scribbles they see on the page.  These scribbles are usually the result of large movements from the shoulder, with the crayon or marker held in the child’s fist.Controlled scribbling (2 to 3 yrs.) as children develop better control over the muscles in their hands and fingers, their scribbles begin to change and become more controlled.  Toddlers may make repeated marks on the page—open circles, diagonal, curved, horizontal or vertical lines.  Over time, they make the transition to holding the crayon or marker between their thumb and pointer finger. In our class we have noticed these changes! The children have been using the markers more frequently and we are now able to distinguish each individual child's art. Now we can even ask some of them what they are drawing and they can now tell us partially of what they are making. Most are even proud of their art and bring it to the teacher saying "Look what I draw!"