In this blog we disÂcuss how to proÂvide creÂative art activÂiÂties for chilÂdren that benÂeÂfit their learnÂing and develÂopÂment and the imporÂtance of havÂing a desÂigÂnatÂed art center.
Product-Focused or Process-Focused?
Art activÂiÂties can be prodÂuct-focused or process-focused.
When you think of art activÂiÂties for young chilÂdren, do you think of colÂorÂing books with printÂed images? Or projects where chilÂdren attempt to copy a samÂple creÂatÂed by an adult? Often in these sitÂuÂaÂtions, an adult instructs chilÂdren in creÂatÂing a desired outÂcome or prodÂuct. These types of activÂiÂties are prodÂuct-focused. They do not encourÂage children’s creÂativÂiÂty or exploration.
On the othÂer hand, process-focused activÂiÂties are those that do encourÂage chilÂdren’s creÂativÂiÂty. Process-focused activÂiÂties are unstrucÂtured. There is no preÂdeÂterÂmined way to engage with the mateÂriÂals, and chilÂdren can experiment.
Process-focused art activÂiÂties encourÂage children’s creÂativÂiÂty instead of putting presÂsure on them to folÂlow speÂcifÂic steps and instrucÂtions. Each child’s final prodÂuct is unique. An art activÂiÂty is creÂative when it allows chilÂdren to make choicÂes for themÂselves and conÂtrol the process as much as possible.
CreÂative art activÂiÂties are a wonÂderÂful way for chilÂdren to chanÂnel their natÂurÂal curiosÂiÂty and motiÂvaÂtion to explore their world and disÂcovÂer how things work. Freely manipÂuÂlatÂing and experÂiÂmentÂing with difÂferÂent art mateÂriÂals makes learnÂing fun and addressÂes mulÂtiÂple areas of development.
Creative Art Activities for Children
Finger painting
FinÂger paintÂing is a fun, open-endÂed activÂiÂty approÂpriÂate for chilÂdren at any stage of develÂopÂment. All you need is space, time, a subÂstance to paint with, and a comÂfortÂable chair.
Let chilÂdren disÂcovÂer for themÂselves what they can do at their own pace. Avoid givÂing advice. There is no right or wrong way to finÂger paint. ChilÂdren love to mix colÂors, make patÂterns, and have the freeÂdom to creÂate whatÂevÂer they want.
Every child is sucÂcessÂful when they finÂger paint!
Three-dimensional projects
Three-dimenÂsionÂal projects are a great way for chilÂdren to pracÂtice fine motor skills while havÂing fun. ProÂvide boxÂes in a variÂety of sizes and shapes. ChilÂdren often enjoy stackÂing them up to creÂate statÂues. When they decide on a shape, they can tape the boxÂes togethÂer. ProÂvide supÂport at this stage as needed.
The chilÂdren can use their imagÂiÂnaÂtion to decÂoÂrate their statÂues with markÂers, paint, glue, felt, paper scraps, pipe cleanÂers, etc. ChilÂdren may enjoy incorÂpoÂratÂing the statÂues into their preÂtend play. As a small-group activÂiÂty, this can help chilÂdren learn about coopÂerÂaÂtion and workÂing as a team.
Mixed-media collage
Open-endÂed colÂlage projects proÂvide opporÂtuÂniÂties for chilÂdren to expeÂriÂence difÂferÂent texÂtures and senÂsaÂtions. As far as mateÂriÂals for colÂlage activÂiÂties, the options are limitless!
Allow chilÂdren over three to cut or tear mateÂriÂals into small pieces. This presents an excelÂlent opporÂtuÂniÂty for develÂopÂing fine motor skills. (Keep small pieces away from infants and todÂdlers since these can present chokÂing hazards.)
The chilÂdren can layÂer mateÂriÂals and colÂors, or paint on top of their colÂlages to creÂate a variÂety of texÂtures and visuÂal effects.
Have fun experÂiÂmentÂing with the chilÂdren in your care!
More Creative Activities for Young Children
InterÂestÂed in more activÂiÂties for chilÂdren? Read our blogs on Music and MoveÂment ActivÂiÂties and Indoor ActivÂiÂties for Kids.
The Early Childhood Environment: Learning Centers
Care CoursÂes’ 10-clock-hour course, The EarÂly ChildÂhood EnviÂronÂment: LearnÂing CenÂters, offers many creÂative art activÂiÂty ideas, and sugÂgesÂtions for taiÂlorÂing your art cenÂter to suit children’s needs and interÂests. Take this course to learn about fun and funcÂtionÂal learnÂing cenÂters dedÂiÂcatÂed to litÂerÂaÂcy, music, block play, preÂtend play, and more!
Care Courses Support
Please conÂtact us and let us know how we can be of addiÂtionÂal assisÂtance! Call us: 1–800-685‑7610, MonÂday through FriÂday, 9–5 ET, or email us days, evenings, and weekÂends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help!
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