I recently had a teacher ask about art projects for the very young, particularly young two’s. She was especially concerned with the safety factor, as the little ones have a tendency to try to eat what they’re working with. I have a long list of suggestions for her, but I’ll share just one with you [...]
Posts Tagged as ‘Art’
March 10, 2010
Bev Bos’ Secret to Successful Shaving Cream Art
I do enjoy Bev Bos! That woman is in a league of her own! Well, it’s thanks to Bev that I’ve learned the secret to great shaving cream painting! In the past, I’ve had children paint with colored shaving cream, and they’ve had a great experience, but unless they spread the foam out, once that [...]
February 2, 2010
Take a Closer Look – Examining Visual Art with Preschoolers
I’m rushing to finish up the posts for the Arts and the Senses unit, so that I can start posting the next unit I’m excited about! Check back on the unit theme page, where I’ve explained several activities in quick notes and links rather than a full post! This activity, however, warranted a little more explanation!
Whenever I [...]
January 22, 2010
Create a Texture Shape Exploration Station
Children love to explore! That is a widely accepted fact! So here’s a little project you can do quickly and inexpensively to create a fun exploration station where they can explore shape, size, and texture, and create designs to their little hearts’ content!
First, cut a variety of geometric shapes out of sturdy cardboard. I like to [...]
January 20, 2010
Book Activity: My Crayons Talk
My Crayons Talk by Patricia Hubbard is a perfect introduction into the interplay between color and language. The girl in the story explains how her colors talk as she draws. For example, “Yellow chirps, ‘Quick, Baby chick.’” The accompanying picture shows the girl sitting in a straw-colored meadow, surrounded by baby chicks, while wearing a sunny [...]
January 19, 2010
Book Activity: Mouse Paint
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh is one of my very favorite books for teaching about primary and secondary colors. The children absolutely love it as well. In the story, three mice climb into three jars of paint (red, yellow, and blue) and then begin dancing, stirring and mixing with their feet as they blend [...]
January 12, 2010
Art Talk
When discussing art with children, we often find ourselves simply saying, “Oh it’s a dog!” or “How pretty.” Here are a few tips on how to bring some art concepts into your comments and discussions.
ART CONCEPT
COMPONENT
EXAMPLE
COLOR
Hue
Blue: Periwinkle, Turquoise, Cornflower
Intensity/Value
“This tree is bright green. That bush is a pale green.”
Temperature
“The orange you used makes me feel [...]
January 11, 2010
Unit Theme: Exploring the Arts through Our Senses
Introducing the new unit theme! Dat-da-da-dah! “Exploring the Arts through Our Senses”!
I know I may start every unit theme post this way, but I LOVE this theme! Really, you could spend a whole year exploring the arts and the senses. In my opinion, they are two key elements to any preschool program. No matter what your [...]
December 1, 2009
Food Prints
This is a classic activity, but I thought I’d remind you of it, especially since you have those left over carrot and celery tops from making Stone Soup just lying around!
Take a few veggies like carrots, celery, and potatoes, and cut them to create a “handle” edge and a “printing” edge. I also really like [...]
August 26, 2009
Art in the Preschool Classroom: Finding Reality and Fantasy
One of the classes I’ve been taking this summer is “The Arts in Every Classroom” (you can view the same class here). The arts seem easily incorporated into preschool, as the children are very naturally using music, movement, and visual art as a means of expressing themselves, almost constantly! This class gave me a few new [...]
