Process art is, of course, all about the process…the doing
it on their own, the exploring, the learning…and not what they make per
se. Process art will not have a “sample”
to follow, will have limited (if any) instructions, there will be a variety of
supplies available, and each child’s art piece will be unique.
It’s good to know what process art is, but defining what it
isn’t is also important. First and
foremost process art is not a “free-for-all”.
Guidelines are always a necessity when working with children. Yes, we want them to try new things and
experiment, but not at expense of ruining the experience for others or wasting
resources. For example, it is OK to mix
paint colors on your own paper, but not OK to mix paint colors in their
containers; nor is it OK to paint the wall behind you.
Two other important things to keep in mind when doing
process art with young children:
- We can limit which supplies are available for use If you just really can’t do paint, you don’t have to offer it.
- You can still have a general project idea in mind.
All Ages
Chalk Art
Use black construction paper and white & colored chalk
to create a picture. Older children can
trace a variety of items.
Ice Painting
Fill Dixie cups with water (depending on storytime size—5-10
cups). Add a generous amount of food
coloring to each cup; stir to combine.
Place a craft stick in each cup.
Freeze for several hours. Allow
children to use the ice as paint brushes.
Preschool
New Creature
Clean out your craft supplies and ask the children to create
a new creature—make sure to have googly eyes, yarn, feathers, construction
paper, crayons, scissors, glue
Can you paint with
that?
Bring out a variety of objects for kids to try to paint
with…feathers, straws, comb, pipe cleaners, pine branch, toilet paper rolls,
plastic eggs (opened)
You can use a clothespin for a “handle” for these kinds of
objects: pom-poms, foil, yarn/several pieces of yarn
HINT: Use an empty cardboard egg carton as a paint
pallet for several children to share.
Toddler Art
Sticky Mural
Cut a length of contact paper for each child. Set out a variety of things to stick on
it—tissue paper pieces, construction paper scraps/shapes, stickers, curling
ribbon (not curled), yarn, feathers, foil pieces, anything else in your craft
closet that is relatively flat. Cover
with another length of contact paper to seal.
Painting with Cotton
Balls
Clip cotton balls onto clothespin (so the clothespin makes a
handle). Put paint on paper plates or
use an empty cardboard egg carton as a paint pallet for several children to
share. Allow children to put cotton ball into the paint then paint on their
white construction paper. You may need
to swap out cotton balls often so the paint doesn’t get too mixed up.
HINT: You can cut egg
cartons into groups of four sections to use for paint
Baby Art
Mess Free Painting
Place piece of white cardstock in gallon size Ziploc; squirt
in 2-3 drops of paint; seal bag and tape to reinforce; allow babies to smash
paint around. When parents/caregiver get
home they can remove the paper and let it dry.
Tape Collage
Children rip of variety of colors/lengths of tape to create
a collage on a piece of white card stock.
Be sure to cover the
tables (table cloth included) and pull out your tarp for the floor! Don’t forget the extra package of baby wipes
(included)!!
Book Ideas for Art Week
Edward Gets Messy / Meade
Mouse Paint / Walsh
White Rabbit's Color Book / Baker
Bear’s Picture / Pinkwater
I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean / Sherry
Patrick Paints a Picture /
The Dot /
Elephants Can Paint
Too / Arnold
