1. The Importance of Art Experiences Art promotes the growth of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. They learn the respect the property of other children. They learn the important concepts of color, size, and texture.

2. Techniques for Guiding Art Experiences Creative growth is promoted through careful choice of various art materials and opportunity to create. These experiences should involve all five senses sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. In children’s art work color does not play an important part.

3. Stages of Art Skill Development These stages include scribbles, basic forms, and first drawings.

4. Scribbles This stage happens at the age of 15 months. Zigzags, whirls, and circles Comments about the look of children art’s work are also helpful. For example, this line is long, this line has a long curve.

5. Basic Forms This often occurs between the age of three and four years old. They now have more control over their movements and better hand-eye coordination. They control shape, and size of the line. Children’s scribbles were the sheer pleasure of moving their hands and arms.

6. First Drawings Occurs between the age of fourth and fifth years. Children begin their first drawings at this age. Create objects such as circles, straight lines for arms and legs. Also, trees, houses, cars and boats.

7. Paper Types of Paper: 1. Newsprint 2. Manila Paper 3. Construction Paper 4. Wallpaper 5. Cardboard 6. Old Newspaper

8. Coloring Books Coloring books have a negative effect on children’s creativity. Coloring books cause children to have low self-esteem. Rely on activities that allow children to explore more interesting activities instead of coloring books.

9. Paste and Glue Can be prepared or purchased. Water-soluble adhesives are the best for young children. The best all purpose adhesive is white liquid glue. Liquid glue could be used for : 1. Heavy weight paper 2. Fabric 3. Plastic 4. Cardboard 5. Wood

10. Glue Continued Glue is difficult to remove from clothes, carpeting, and art tables. Wipe up spills immediately, it is easier when the glue is moist. Children should wear smocks. When using glue pour small amounts into small shallow pans or provide the children with small squeeze bottles.

11. Clean Up Tools Keep clean up tools in the Art area. Clean-up tools include: 1. Small Buckets 2. Sponge Mops 3. Various Sizes of Sponges Keep materials in reach of children.

12. Cleanup Tools Should be available when spills occur. Small buckets, sponge mops, and various sizes of sponges are useful. Keep supplies within children’s reach. Cut mop handles down so they are child sized. This will encourage children to be responsible for cleaning up.

13. Space and Storage Well-planned space is needed to encourage children to use art areas. Storage and display areas are part of a well- planned space. Bookshelves can be used to store staple supplies. – Ex: paper, scissors, paste, glue, collage materials, crayons, water color markers, chalk, tape and paint.

14. Easel Painting Should be a daily activity in all early childhood programs. Easels should be adjusted to the correct height for the children. Brushes with fat handles in a variety of sizes should be provided on the easel tray. The size of the paper you give the children will depend on the activity and age of the children. For young children, provide large sheets of newsprint. Sheets of this size will encourage the use of large muscles.

15. Easel Painting Cont. To ensure success in easel painting plan the session ahead of time. Provide only a small amount of paint since children often spill. Teach young children how to use the paint brush. As children gain skill give them smaller brushes and pieces of paper with which to work. Wash brushes after use. Place them bristles up to dry.

16. Finger Painting Finger painting is a sensory experience. It promotes expression and release of feelings. Finger painting requires more supervision than most other painting activities. Children need to stay at the table until they are finished painting. Hands must be washed immediately after painting. Finger paint can be made from instant pudding, soap flakes whipped with water, partially set gelatin, and shaving cream.

17. String Painting Cut several pieces of heavy yarn or string. Place a tray, or trays of colored tempera paint and paper on the table. Show the children how to slide the yarn through the paint and across the piece of paper. Another technique is to place the string in a folded piece of paper and pull it out.

18. Mono Printing Starts with regular finger painting. After this, and 8 by 12 inch piece of paper is placed over the finger painting. The papers patted together and pulled apart.

19. Chalk Painting Dip chalk into water and draw on construction paper. Use chalk at least one inch thick. Choose construction paper based on the color chalk being used. Add vinegar to the water to deepen the color of the chalk.

20. Texture Painting Make paint by using liquid tempera or mixing powder tempera with liquid starch. To this mixture, add sand, sawdust, or coffee grounds. For best results, the paint should be thick.

21. Salt Painting Include construction paper or cardboard, paste or glue, cotton swabs or tongue depressors, and salt mixed with colored tempera in shakers. Have the children spread paste or glue on the paper. Then have them shake the salt mixture onto the glue or paste. Shake off excess paint and set aside to dry.

22. Spice Painting Prepare the mixture by adding a small amount of water to liquid glue. Give each child enough glue to spread all over their piece of paper. They can use their fingers to do this. Then have them shake spices onto the paper. When it dries it will look as interesting as it smells.

23. Vegetable Printing The molds in vegetable printing are made from vegetables. They are washed and dried, then cut in half. Place the cut vegetables on the table, along with the trays of paint. Children dip the vegetables into the paint and then press them onto the paper.

24. Molding Play dough, and clay are materials that can be molded and formed. Children’s play with molding materials reflects their level of development. Children enjoy the tactile appeal of the materials. They can be reshaped, so it allows children the freedom to change their minds.

25. Cutting Young children learn to cut because they enjoy working with scissors. At first, children just snip in straight line. As children progress, they may wish to cut in curves. This requires good hand-eye coordination. Have children work with one type of paper. This helps them to hold on to material and tool. Provide left-handed children with proper scissors. Mark these scissors with colored tape. All scissors should have rounded tips.