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 now!
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 foam’s dry, it all seems to fall apart. Enter Bev. Her big secret is to add equal parts Elmer’s glue and shaving cream and whip them together. Then add your color and you’re good to go! [Read more…]
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 foam’s dry, it all seems to fall apart. Enter Bev. Her big secret is to add equal parts Elmer’s glue and shaving cream and whip them together. Then add your color and you’re good to go! [Read more…]
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!
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!
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 sun dress and funky sunglasses.
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 the primary colors together to create secondary colors. (Incidently, White Rabbit’s Color Book by Alan Baker is also fantastic and follows a very similar format. Just in case one is easier for you to get your hands on than the other!)
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. [Read more…]
Unit Theme: Exploring the Arts through Our Senses
Introducing the new unit theme! Dat-da-da-dah! “Exploring the Arts through Our Senses”!
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!