The Very Merry Un-Birthday

We have been celebrating the very merry un-birthdays in our classroom.  Here is a peek at one of our projects.

Foam Birthday Cakes

First the children work together in small groups frosting the foam cakes with puff paint.

Once the foam cakes had on their base frosting they then piped on different colored foam frosting.

We placed the foam paint into sandwich bags and snipped the corner off so that they could squeeze the paint out.

We let them dry over night after these first two stages.

The following day we had the children finish decorating their un-birthday cakes with different craft items.  (pipe cleaners, birthday candles, glitter, pompoms and colors packing peanuts)

Some of the finished Un-Birthday Cakes

We Used Sticks for Art

Today we made art with all of our found sticks.

Children painted sheets of foam with shades of blue and green and then they stuck sticks into the foam.

Next the children added colored floral rocks, cut out fish, yarn, pipe cleaners, wooden beads, and netting. 

We now have these beautiful art pieces setting around our classroom.

There is nothing quit like art made by children.

Paper Buttercups

Set out a supply of paper scuffle cups and paint.  Let the children flatten one scuffle cup by pulling the edges of the cup until there are no folds left, this will make the cup lay flat.  Have the children paint each type of cup.  Allow them to dry.  Once the cups are dry have the children assemble their flowers with tape or glue.  The children can add any type of stem of their likings.  Place their flowers around the classroom and bring in a little spring.

Blooming Tree Handprints

The trees in the orchards are in full bloom, so we have taken this opportunity to make blooming tree handprints.  The children painted their arm and hand with brown paint and made a print with it. (Forming the tree trunk and branches)  Once they rinsed their hands they came back and painted their hands with different colors of paint and made prints to form the blooms on the tree.  To finish it off the children used their fingers with green paint to form grass under the trees.

If you do not want the children going back and forth from the sink, you can set a dish pan out with a small amount of water in it along with rags and towels. 

Painting with Preschoolers

Painting with preschoolers is a fun activity that allows children to express their creativity.  When painting with preschoolers don’t just stop with painting on paper.  The more opportunities and materials that you provide for the children to paint on the more ways children will have to express themselves.

Painting on small Styrofoam packaging

Painting on Large Styrofoam packaging  (Turn it into a wall hanging)

Paint on Apple crates

Paint On…

• Wood sheets
• Sandpaper sheets
• Wax paper
• Brown Paper Bags
• Fabric
• Foil (add glue to paint so that it will adhere)
• Dry Wall Scraps
• Canvases
• Cardboard
• Newspaper Sheets

 

Creative Art it's the process

What is Process Art?



Process art emphasizes the “process” of making art (rather than any predetermined composition or plan)


Why Process Art?


When working with process art children are able to explore, create and develop their own original ideas. They are able to feel the dough, see the colors and touch the textures. Teachers are only there to facilitate giving inspiration, materials, guidance and tools to inspire them to be creative. When teacher practice using process art the children will create original art work which reflects his or hers own personal interpretation.


What they learn in the process of creating


• Balance and design
• Depth perception
• Form
• Color mixing


Teachers who respect children’s ideas help them to learn to think and solve problems for themselves. Children who feel free to make mistakes and to explore will also feel free to invent, create and find new ways to do things.


To have a successful process art program in your class you will need to have a well-stocked cabinet of art supplies.


Creating a house with found materials

Creating their very own Big Red Barn

Creating birdies and nest 

Creating their very own version of a Giraffe 

All of this by just allowing them time and their own imagination. The possibilities are endless for them if you just provide the materials.

When I create art I am learning:

• To exercise my imagination and creativity.

• About how colors mix and to form new colors.

• Concepts of shape, size and location.

• Eye-hand coordination.

• About things that are sticky and things that have different textures.

• How to create patterns and designs, a math skill.

• To distinguish patterns from background, a reading skill.

• To express my feelings and ideas

• That my ideas have value.

• An acceptable way to make a mess and have fun sharing ideas with others.

Keeping Glue Bottles Clean

What child likes to use a glue bottle when no glue comes out?  The answer is no child does. 

Here is how we keep our glue bottles working like champs.  Everyday to every other day we remove the lids from the bottles and place them in a pan of water.  We then bring the water to a boil with the lids in it.  Once it comes to a boil we turn off the heat and remove from the burner. 

We remove the hot pan from the stove and cover it with a damp cloth so that it keeps steaming. Once the water is cool we make sure that water goes through the opened lid.

I know that this sounds like a lot of work (about 10 minutes) but you will be glad that you do it when it is time to work on a small group project that requires glue. Every thing will run smooth and you won’t be messing with unclogging the bottles.

The bottles in my classroom have been there for 2 years now and are still like new.

Here are the glue bottles that we use in our classrooms.

Nancy™ Paint Bottles Twist Tops, 2 oz. - Set of 12

Item #: 8WWNANTWS

Your Price: $8.49

Also Try 

 

Item #: 8WWTCGJAR

Your Price: $13.99

More Dinosaur Fun

Dino Color Bingo Mats

We played color bingo with dinosaur shaped mats.  To add fine motor skills to the activity we had the children use tweezers to pick up the right colored pom pom with.

Process Art Dino Style

We sat out construction paper shapes, scrap paper, paper tubes, scissors, glue, wiggle eyes and markers.  We also had different pictures of dinosaurs hanging in the creative art area.  Children where encouraged to create a dinosaur of their own and not one turned out alike.  

Keeping Your Tables Clean

When it comes to preschoolers mess is the name of the game.  So if you want to make cleaning up some of those messes easier here are some tips to help keep those tables clean.

Art trays, we have a stack of art trays in the creative art area and the children know that if they are working on something that requires glue, paint or glitter then they need to get themselves an art tray.  These trays contain the mess for easy clean up and help children with their independent skills.

If you have a group of young children then when it is work time for the children stretch a fitted sheet over the tables that will get messy.  Once the projects are done remove the sheet and toss in the wash.

You can get these art trays through

Easy-Clean Craft Trays - Set of 4

These big, heavy-duty plastic trays make craft projects neater—and easier—than ever! Jumbo trays are great for painting and collaging…with deep 1 1/4" edges that keep messes neatly contained, and smooth surfaces for easy, wipe-clean care. 4 trays in 4 colors; each is a big 12" x 16".


BX532 • $14.95

T is for Trains

Children created trains with different kinds of found materials. (paper tubes, Styrofoam packaging,  plastic caps, they also used other collage materials)   The children created the train tracks by using black rectangle construction paper and different types of collage materials (craft sticks, q tips, pipe cleaners, packing peanuts) they also embellished their project with white chalk.

Train prints.  Use different items so that the children can create their own train by making prints with different objects.  (sponges, old spools, corks, forks)

Engine On The Track

Here is the engine on the tracks. (hold up thumb)

Here is the coal car, just in back. (pointer)

Here is the box car to carry freight. (middle)

Here is the mail car. Don’t be late. (ring)

Way back here at the end of the train. (little)

Rides the caboose through the sun and rain.

Paper Tube Airplanes

We made airplanes out of paper tubes and craft sticks.  The children painted and collaged their paper tubes and craft sticks and then assembled them into airplanes.  

It’s Raining It’s Pouring

When it rains it pours!  The children made giant rain drops for our windows.

First the children cut out large rain drop shapes.  Next they dipped balloons into trays of paint (white, light blue and dark blue).  After dipping the balloon into paint they used the balloon to make prints onto their rain drops.  Once done with their creation they sprinkled glitter of choice onto the wet paint.

Berry Basket Snowflakes

Children can make snowflake prints by dipping the bottom of a berry basket into white paint and them pressing the basket onto dark paper.  Once they are done printing with the baskets allow them to sprinkle their prints with iridescent glitter.  This project makes for a great independent creative art center.