The arts motivate and engage children in learning, stimulate memory and facilitate understanding, enhance symbolic communication, promote relationships, and provide an avenue for building competence. – Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connections, The Task Force on Children’s Learning and the Arts, 1998 We are playfully following the journey of very hungry caterpillars as they…
Spring
Caterpillars and butterflies
I believe most children can identify with the helpless, small, insignificant caterpillar, and they rejoice with it when it turns into a beautiful butterfly. It is an affirmation to all children. It says: I too can grow up. I too can unfold my wings and fly into the world. – Eric Carle Young children learn…
Sun Prints
Have you ever tried sun prints? They’re a easy and versatile art activity with young children, both for indoors and outdoors! You could go on nature walks, explore and collect different sizes, shapes and colors of leaves, sticks and flowers; you could portray your shadow, make patterns out of foam shapes or use pretty much…
Tape Resist Painting
Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. – Hans Christian Andersen Tape-resist is a simple and fun process art technique for young children. You can create any design, make open-ended abstract masterpieces or explore and create spring flowers like we did. Materials: Watercolor Paper Painter’s Tape Liquid watercolors Thick…
Spring Shadow Boxes
We love making Shadow Boxes! They create the perfect depth and backdrop to capture any little keepsakes and lend themselves perfectly to display miniature scenes, three dimensional artwork and other found treasures! You can hang them on the wall or place them on a shelf and they’ll always look neat and finished! Inspired by the various…
Magical Fairy Potions
Do your children love playing with water and anything else that involves pouring, scooping, dripping and stirring? Making ‘fairy potions’ provides some great sensory and fine motor opportunities. When stirring their concoctions children get to squeeze, pour, scoop, smell and explore properties like texture, flexibility and fluidity. Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to welcome spring,…
Spring Birds
We are so excited that spring is coming! We watch and wonder as the arriving spring birds make their nests in our backyards and see the first flowers growing. To welcome spring we make our own spring birds and build a nest to play in which will lead to many wonderful hours of play and…
Funky Easter Bunnies
Meet our funky Easter bunnies and head over to teachstarter to get your own fabulous and free template! This project is not only fun but also perfect for discussing lines and patterns. With younger children I often use Cassie Stephen’s wonderful introduction to creating with lines. She uses a poem and a plush snake to…
Tissue Paper Easter Baskets
Have you ever made Easter baskets? We loved making these fun and simple tissue paper bowls that were perfect for storing our Easter sweets. Materials Tissue paper (pre-cut squares, circles, or cut your own) Paper shapes (or cut your own with Paper Craft Punches) Construction paper Bowls Foil Modge Podge or liquid starch Thick paintbrushes…