the road to inspired learning
This idea came from MaryAnn Kohl's book, Preschool Art, where you are sure to find many more great preschool art ideas. This is an easy way to keep your preschooler busy while building fine motor skills and making some pretty art. Supplies for Weaving Art cardboard yarn scissors one preschooler Directions First you […]
Supplies old picture frames (we used 8×10) or smallish cookie sheets thick, strong rubber bands paint brushes assorted tempera paint colors cup of water (to wash & change paint colors) paper old towel (not necessary, but a good idea) Get your paints ready. Tip: Use an egg carton or muffin tin to keep paint colors separated. […]
Here is a process art activity I facilitated at co-op a few weeks ago, and Simon asked to do it again at home. He's not the only one who loves this one–I do, too! I like it because it saves on paint and because you don't end up with those gooby-globby-over-heavy-never-will-dry fingerpaint masterpieces. Supplies a cookie sheet finger paint […]
I have had the wonderful opportunity to co-teach a preschool class at co-op this fall– Let's Make a Mess! (a process art class). In preparing for this class, the co-teacher and I have been gathering all these fun tools to use as paintbrushes! Last week we had our first "free paint" and the kids used all […]
Here is another example of process art. This idea is adpated from MaryAnn Kohl's fabulous Preschool Art book. This project is a little messy, but so enjoyable to create! My little artist was very serious about this one. He may look unhappy in some of the photos, but he is just concentrating! Set-up: Put a large piece of […]
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." ~Picasso Simon and I did some watercolor resist for one of our alphabet art things this morning. After it was done, he was completely fascinated that the paint didn’t stick to the waxy crayon area. I asked him if […]
Preschoolers and art. Art and preschoolers. I think MaryAnn F. Kohl is smart about these two subjects. As I've learned more about encouraging my little guy to be an artist, I've come to agree wholeheartedly with Kohl's philosophy: "Art is a process, not a product." Preschool Process Art: Why? I want my kids to be creative thinkers. […]
I like this project for many reasons: 1. It’s easy 2. It helps keep the crayon bucket clear of too small pieces 3. You get to recycle something useless into something useful 4. It’s fun 5. Did I mention it’s easy? Before After Simon brought me some old crayon cookies we’d made in the past […]
Here is a fun and easy Valentine's Day project you can do with your preschooler! I did this with a group of preschoolers at our co-op's annual Valentine Day Party last year. Supplies small bowls of vinegar (1 for every 2 students) paintbrushes (1 per child) Spectra Art Tissue Paper (or another kind of bleeding tissue […]
Another fun one! This is great for fine motor skill practice as well as getting to experiment with a different medium- chalk pastels. The glue on Elijah’s globbed together in the middle, so we decided to add a spider. Also, if you decide to make this, please keep in mind that it is a two day […]
I saw this idea over at Art Projects For Kids, so we decided to try it out today. If you want to teach your student the difference between warm/cool colors, this project is perfect. First Elijah traced a leaf pattern. Then he outlined it in red crayon. I gave him some textured cardboard from my […]
Here is Elijah posing with his bears drawing Close-up of the drawing Alien Art