We are thrilled to have a second Art Studio here at EELP this year so that we can spend more time exploring the arts with small groups of children!
To begin the year, our class is exploring black and white paint, the beginning and end of color. On a typical visit, Melody, Michelle or I will spend 30 minutes to one hour with a group of 3-4 children. We spend some time chatting with the children about our plan, asking them questions about what they know about the materials and listen to their BIG ideas about what they want to create! Then we gather around the table and observe the children as they use all of their senses to explore the materials.
We talk about how to use the paint and paint brush. An Sen and Scarlet practice carefully dipping their brushes into the paint, then gently pull their brushes across the paper.
Sometimes the children work together to create large pieces of artwork. This is a great opportunity to practice turn taking, sharing space and working together!
Henry, Gideon and Luba are finger painting, a great way to really get to know the paint, learn all of its properties, and how to use it.
Sometimes the children work alone with their own set of paint, brushes and paper.
Aiden and Jack explored another example of black and white in the studio....their shadows!
Luba is practicing washing her paintbrush in water and blotting it dry on a towel before dipping into a new color. We feel its important to teach the children skills like this so they can be even more successful in using art as a language to represent their ideas.
After visiting the studio to sit back and observe his friends as they painted, we are happy to have Jack join us at the table to paint! Working in small groups in the studio provides wonderful experiences for the children to build deeper relationships with each other, which also helps them feel more comfortable at school!
Avery very carefully makes a rainbow with white paint on black paper. She was super proud of her work! She smiled, then painted more layers of paint to cover the rainbow.
The children love splashing in the washtub after painting!
Quinn's method of painting was to use the brush to put paint on her fingers, then stamp her fingers onto the paper.
The Art Studio is also a fantastic place for a game of peek-a-boo!
And the exploration of black and white continues out of the studio! Bel sits with Michelle outside to use her black pen on white paper.
We look forward to sharing with you more details about our time in the Art Studio!
Michelle, Melody and I have posted lots of detailed documentation in the hallway about our individual group work in the studio. Please stop and read when you get a chance!
Love,
Jill and the Toddler Team
Scarlet rolled this stump up the incline so she could be up tall like Le Roi!
