Preschool Classroom Art Area

The art area should be available to children as a free choice.

Goals/Skills:

• Creativity and imagination, while allowing for self-expression
• Concepts such as colors, shapes, lines, properties, textures, cause and effect, problem-solving, sizes, symmetry, design, balance, patterns, etc.
• Conceptualization
• Small muscle development and eye-hand coordination
• Appropriate outlet for anger or frustration

Supervision and Tips:

• Have all related materials and supplies nearby and accessible
• Locate this area on tile and near a sink if possible
• Do not "fix" a child’s work, or create "models" or samples for the children to copy
• Ask the child if he/she would like for you to write down his/her words about the picture (dictation – encourages pre-reading/writing awareness)
• Teach children to assist in, and be responsible for, cleaning up any mess

Suggested Materials:

• Paint Brushes - Variety of Sizes
• Paint Rollers - Variety of Patterns
• Eye Droppers for Painting
• Feathers for Painting
• Kitchen Utensils that Provide Unique prints (Potato Masher)
• Wall Paper
• Contact paper
• Pudding
• Brightly Colored Glue
• Spray Bottles Filled with Water Or Paint
• Dental Floss for String Painting
• Variety of Paper in Colors, Textures And Sizes
• Marbles and Anything that Rolls For Painting
• Foil
• Sandpaper
• Tissue Paper
• Sand, Sawdust, Dirt
• Clear Shower Curtain
• Bubble Wrap
• Rolls of Brightly Colored Masking tape
• Unusual Cake Pans or Molds For Marble Painting
• Tree Bark for Rubbings
• Beads, Baubles, Jewels, etc. for Collage items
• Small Collectibles from Nature For Collage Making
• Lacing Yarns
• Variety of Scissors
• Markers
• Crayon Melting Tray
• Easel
• Acrylic Table or Trays