Paint Me a Picture...

This week, I am continuing with the Art ideas. Art, or creating, with children is one of my favorite things to do! Here are some fun painting variations that you can add to your list of fun to-dos! Believe me, there are so many more great ideas for painting with your children. If you have any ideas you would like to share, please, feel free! I love ideas as well! :)
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**FEATURED FAVORITE**

* Marble Painting- You'll need a cardboard box, heavy-weight paper to fill the bottom, small containers of paint, a spoon and marbles. Drop the marbles into the containers of paint. Have the child scoop the marbles out with the spoon and drop them into the box. Then tip, turn and maneuver the box so the marbles will roll around leaving great designs.
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* Blindfold Painting- a great way to talk about disabilities and for the children to experience painting.

* Drip Painting- Tape paper to the ground and allow the children to dip their brushes in the paint. Let the paint drip on the paper to make different designs.

* Easel Painting- NEN (No Explanation Necessary)

* Finger Painting- NEN

* Sponge Painting- NEN

* Foot Painting- Yes, just what it sounds like. Let the children take their shoes and socks off and dip their toes and feet in the paint. Great designs will appear!

* Glitter Painting- Allow the children to paint a great design, then before it dries, let them sprinkle salt on their art.

* Shaving Cream Painting- Squirt shaving cream onto a protected table top and allow the children to finger paint with it. You could add coloring to this. Spray some water on the cream if it gets dried out or stiff.

* Utensil Painting- Provide a variety of utensils for the children to paint with. The designs are spectacular!

* "Thing" Painting- Provide materials such as, cotton swabs, eyedroppers, cotton balls, hair pins, corks, popsicle sticks, toothbrushes, etc.

'Tuesday Tidbit'- "The Artful Classroom"

I know it's a day late, but I am going to add a "Tuesday Tidbit" every Tuesday to my Teaching Blog. They are tidbits of information or advice for parents with young ones. Most of them will probably be coming from a book called, "Family-Friendly Communication for Early Childhood Programs". It is edited by Deborah Diffily and Kathy Morrison. I used this book when I Head Taught at the Early Childhood Development Lab on USU's Campus. I adore it. I hope these tidbits will help.

The Artful Classroom

'A child becomes totally engrossed, immersed in the process of making a work of art. The sensation of feeling the smooth thick paint sliding onto the easel paper calms the child and brings pleasure in the creation. When the child grapples with the challenge of representing an object or person on the page, she is engaging in a task that is both demanding and satisfying.

Teachers (PARENTS TOO) provide an assortment of art materials that children may choose from to make their own unique creations. We do not have the children copy a teacher's model or make a designated product. We encourage them to use the materials in different ways. Art is a vital and vibrant part of the early childhood program, contributing to all aspects of the young child's development.

As they draw, paint, and sculpt, children think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems. Childrens' fine motor skills are developed naturally through manipulation of brushes, crayons, scissors, and clay. All of these activities prepare children for writing in later years. Language also is developed as kids talk about color, shape, and size, and as they describe their work to friends and teachers (PARENTS TOO).

To encourage your child's artistic enterprises, provide large blank paper (the ends of newsprint rolls can be purchased at a nominal cost from your local newspaper, or you can recycle paper by letting you child use the back of office paper), water colors, markers or chalk for use at home. Art supplies also make great gifts!

Value your child's efforts and expose him or her to quality artwork through visits to museums and art shows. Recognize that young children learn in a variety of ways and that creative activities provide positive, satisfying experiences for all children.'

Getting Creative, Being Artsy

In reality, I love Preschool.......because you can JUST PLAY. The learning really does come through the activities and play, I have witnessed it time and time again. I also love Elementary School, because YOU can make learning fun for your children again. This week, I am going to focus on creating and ART.......When I was teaching Preschool, I went to THE best workshop EVER. This amazing teacher teaches in California (I believe) and I learned so much from her. Bev Bos has the coolest Preschool I've EVER heard of and truly allows the children to just CREATE anything from ANYTHING. I wanted to include 10 rules Bev presents (in her amazing book- "Don't Move the Muffin Tins") when referring to ART or creating with children. The rules I've listed are centered around teachers, but you can make them work at home too. The rules I have paraphrased out of her book.
1. Don't Interfere: Once you've laid the materials out, forget what you have them intended for. Let the children use their imaginations.

2. Try One Yourself: BEFORE hand that is. Children lost interest quickly. They are not going to stand around while you work out last minute details.

3. Put the Child First: First: listen to what the child needs. "I try never to say, "We're not doing that today." if humanly possible." Second: Avoid problems with the way you present the materials.

4. Avoid Models: Never give a child a model. "It's insulting. It's like saying, "You don't know what a turkey looks like, so I'll show you."

5. Respect a Name: Don't put names on papers beforehand, ask them if they would like to write their name or if they would like you to. Also, don't rewrite their names for them. How would you like it if a Professor or teacher scratched your name out and rewrote it for you?

6. Don't Delay: "Remember, a child wants to see immediate results." Don't waste time with your Art program.

7. Spread the Word: Really orient your parents with a child-centered approach. "Make it clear to your teachers that you don't want "art" produced for you benefit, but rather a program that is aimed at developing your child's creativity."

8. No Leaping, Please!: We tend to LEAP on children when a spill happens or something is not used "correctly". PLEASE "Gently, gently guide and suggest."

9. Don't Feel Guilty: Don't feel guilty when you read these rules. "Feeling guilty is a waste of time." Just start applying these rules now.

10. Discourage "Good" Clothes: Schools sometimes provide cover-ups for children, but some children will refuse to use them. "To heck with aprons! I would never coerce a child into wearing one."

I thought because Spring is coming, Art and being creative may be a good starting point for activities with your children. Feel free to comment or leave some ideas of your own!

For the Record...

Yes, I did teach, but ONLY to a 3rd grade level!

:)

I admit, I have spelled PANDEMONIUM wrong.................I have it spelled PandAmonium, not PandEmonium.......I apologize. Now it's gunna bug. BLAH!!!!!

P.S. and by the way, I am going to go change my link NOW!

Don't be afraid. I will still post activities and lesson plans AND I'll even spell them right for you, hopefully. FIRST activity/lesson plan posting is tomorrow!

The Purpose.............and a Name Change

I am really excited about this Blog. Through it, I am going to keep you updated on creating my own preschool. I am still not completely sure EVERYTHING I have to do to get a business license, recruit awesome people to bring their adorable children to ME and not anyone else and procuring a spot for my dream Preschool. Hopefully with the help of my spectacular husband and fabulous friend, YES THAT'S YOU!!!!!, I can reach my goal.

Another purpose of this Blog is to post lesson plans or just ideas of activities YOU can be doing at home with YOUR own children. I hope it helps...ENJOY! :)

Finally, I changed the name of THIS Blog (from Preschool Pandemonium to Tantalizing Teaching Tidbits), because I will be posting things that don't relate to Preschool ALL the time. Maybe I just want to rant about TEACHING in general. :) I am really pretty good at ranting.