Have a shelf to set up art activities for free expression, the outcome is up to the child, the process helps with the acquisition of practical skills, co-ordination and sensorial refinement.
Crayons
Material Description:
Plastic mat, newspaper the size of a chowki and three containers for red, blue and yellow crayons, at first give thick crayons, later thinner ones and a daily limit of paper (to inculcate a desire to use materials with care)
Presentation:
- Let the child put the newspaper on the chowki
- Choose one colour of crayon and draw on both sides of paper
- Later let the child use two and then three colours, as the designs become more expressive show how paint can be used at around five years
Purpose:
- Co-ordination of Movement
- Independence
- Concentration
- Social Adaptation
Age at Presentation:
Two and a half years
Footnote:
Give materials step by step for this and subsequent art presentations
Collage
Material Description:
Cardboard or a plastic mat, glue brush, tub of glue, wet sponge, variety of objects, yarn, beads, strips of cloth, paper all kept in a box and backing paper to stick the objects to
Presentation:
- Wear apron
- Take some objects from the box, then replace it, take some paper, glue and brush
- Apply the glue with a brush onto the paper, stick the objects down
- Wipe excess glue away with the sponge
- Later stick the glue directly onto the object then place on the paper
- Show how to tear pictures from magazines and newspapers
Purpose:
- Co-ordination of Movement
- Independence
- Concentration
- Social Adaptation
Age at Presentation:
Two and a half years
Folding Paper
Material Description:
Have coloured card and later tissue paper, wax paper and cellophane with examples of different types of fold
Presentation:
- Let the child fold the various types of paper as she wants
Purpose:
- Co-ordination of Movement
- Independence
- Concentration
- Social Adaptation
Age at Presentation:
Two and a half years
Clay-work
Material Description:
Soft natural clay, kept in a plastic bag, stored in an air tight container. Use a special table or bowl and a wire to cut the clay and a damp cloth and apron only used for this
Presentation:
- Show how to mould clay by pinching, coiling, rolling and how to moisten to join pieces.
- Show how to put back the clay and to wash carefully
- Later show how to roll with pi and use cutters to make geometric shapes
Purpose:
- Co-ordination of Movement
- Independence
- Concentration
- Social Adaptation
Age at Presentation:
Two and a half years
Footnote:
Arrange to visit a kiln where children can fire their work
Sticking paper
Material Description:
A plastic mat, pencil, awl, glue brush, paper presser, box with snippets, glue and card. Have all these arranged in a tray
Presentation:
- Place the plastic mat on a chowki, laying out the material from the tray in order of use, naming each item
- Take a snippet and close the box, then take a card
- Mark an X onto the snippet (picking up the pencil with the left hand and then placing it in the right hand one finger at a time)
- Show where you will place the snippet, making it with an X
- Open the jar of glue and turning upside down place the lid on the mat
- Pick up the applicator brush, as the pencil was picked up and take a small amount of glue, wipe the brush along the inner lip of the jar
- Pick up the awl with the left hand and place it’s point on the snippet
- Use small strokes to apply the glue to the edges of the snippet
- Picking the snippet up carefully, turn it and move the X on the snippet over the X on the card, lower the snippet
- Press the snippet down with the pressing paper, being careful not to move it
- Put the pressing paper glue side up on the mat
- Pick up the pencil again and write your name on the card
- Use the same pressing paper to remove glue from the glue brush, fold the pressing paper and put it down
- Replace the pressing paper
- Let the child choose a new piece of cardboard and repeat, the child can use more snippets
- When the child has finished replace the pressing papers and card
- The completed card may be taken home by the child or stored in her locker
Points of Interest:
- Drawing the X
- Holding the snippet still with the awl
- Removing the excess glue from the card and brush
- Folding the pressing paper to keep the glue inside
Purpose:
- Co-ordination of Movement
- Independence
- Concentration
- Social Adaptation
Age at Presentation:
After the elementary activities are complete, especially the use of scissors and opening and closing bottles and boxes
Footnote:
The child can stick on more than one snippet and other materials in this manner