{"id":119,"date":"2017-08-12T12:41:56","date_gmt":"2017-08-12T18:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/?p=119"},"modified":"2017-10-25T23:06:44","modified_gmt":"2017-10-26T05:06:44","slug":"5-art-activities-for-your-preschoolers-developing-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/5-art-activities-for-your-preschoolers-developing-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Art Activities for Your Preschooler’s Developing Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When was the last time you felt the cool ooze of paint between your fingers as it spread across the page? Or had the exhilaration of watching bright yellow and spring green twirl and twist at the gliding of your fingertips? But who has time to <\/span>play<\/span><\/i> in colorful finger-paints? \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As fun as playing in finger-paints can be, its value extends beyond \u201cfun,\u201d especially in the preschooler\u2019s developing mind. The benefits of art activities for preschoolers extend into all aspects of a child\u2019s learning, and your participation as their parent or caregiver plays a role.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very encouraging for children to know that their parents are willing to participate in activities with them,” says Adrianne Russell, a Kansas City, Missouri-based arts consultant, “especially if it\u2019s something the adults have never done before or have little experience with.” <\/span><\/p>\n

“Painting, drawing or sculpting forces us to stop multitasking and focus on the project at hand, as well as the person we\u2019re doing it with,\u201d writes Grace Hwang Lynch, for <\/span>PBS Parents.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

One added benefit to art activities for preschoolers is that they keep those little munchkins busy! \u201cChildren engaged in creating art express their feelings constructively, not destructively,\u201d says Sydney Gurewitz Clemens, consultant for childhood education, teacher and organizer of San Francisco Classroom Teachers\u2019 Association.<\/span><\/p>\n

With those long summer days, we can all use a few \u201cconstructive\u201d ideas. Here are five fun art activities for preschoolers you can do at home for your munchkin’s developing mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

1- Zebra Resist Finger-paint<\/b><\/h2>\n

A little messy, but definitely delicious. Let your child tear painter\u2019s tape into strips and then press them down onto a paper plate. \u00a0Make a small box of chocolate pudding and let it set. \u00a0Scoop a spoonful of pudding onto the plate and let the cool yummy goodness glide beneath your fingers. \u00a0Licking encouraged. \u00a0When pudding has dried, peel the painter\u2019s tape off. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"art<\/a><\/p>\n

Developmental Benefits:<\/b> Small-motor skills are developed as tape is torn and placed on the plate. \u00a0Language develops as your child discusses how the pudding feels, tastes, and looks as you discuss the outcome of the tape resist. \u00a0Decision making is required as your child chooses how to tear the tape, where to place it, and how to move their hands to create thickness\/thinness in the pudding. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2- Summer Collage<\/b><\/h2>\n

Have your child choose pictures that remind him of things he loves to do in the summer. \u00a0Tear or cut them out of newspapers, magazines, pictures he draws, or even pictures you print for him. \u00a0Allow him to organize them on a large paper (8×10 is fine) and then give him a quarter-size puddle of glue on a paper or in a milk lid. Let him paint the glue to his picture with a finger, paint brush or Q-tip, and then paste them to his large paper. \u00a0Remember there is no right or wrong way for him to place his collage. Upside down and sideways pictures are part of the process. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note on Scissors:<\/b> Learning to cut is a challenging small-motor skill for young children. \u00a0If he is tired of using scissors, encourage your child to tear his pictures out, but keep practicing with those scissors. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"art<\/a><\/p>\n

Developmental Benefits: <\/b>Cutting, tearing, gluing and pasting are all small-motor skills that need coordination and muscle strength. \u00a0Planning where to place pictures and then implementing the plan develops creative thinking, reasoning, and spatial awareness. Displaying the pictures they have chosen fosters self-worth and individuality. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3- Oobligook<\/b><\/h2>\n

Cornstarch and water make a wonderful medium for the small artistic hands. This art activity is all about the process. \u00a0Gather 3 cups cornstarch and 2 cups water.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. First let your child handle the dry cornstarch. \u00a0What does it feel like? \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Add a little water and let those little fingers mix. \u00a0What is happening? What will happen if we add more water?<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. After the lumpy stage, add the rest of the water. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Mix it all up and enjoy the silly, flowing substance. \u00a0Add food coloring if desired.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. What can you create? <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"art<\/a><\/p>\n

    Developmental Benefits: <\/b>Your little scientist is beginning the scientific method! \u00a0Observing the qualities of her ingredients and making predictions, your preschooler is critically thinking. \u00a0She is also tapping into that right brain as she handles and creates with the oobligook. \u00a0The more we can cross the two brain hemispheres, the better! Language development is also occurring as she describes what she is feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

    4- Beautiful Junk<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \u201cOne man\u2019s trash is another man\u2019s treasure.\u201d \u00a0This old English proverb holds true for preschool creativity! Give your child a pile of safe \u201cjunk\u201d objects. \u00a0(Cereal boxes, beads, foil, cartons, buttons, cloth, toilet paper\/paper towel rolls, ribbon, spools, yarn, shoelaces, cotton balls, rubber bands, paper. etc.) <\/span><\/p>\n

    Then issue the challenge. \u00a0\u201cWhat can you make?\u201d \u00a0Or if they need a little guidance, \u201cWhat is the tallest thing you can make?\u201d \u201cWhat is the shiniest thing you can make?\u201d \u00a0Be available with tape, or even better, colored duct tape, but let them do all the creating.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"art<\/a><\/p>\n

    Developmental Benefits: <\/b>This is a wonderful activity for problem solving. \u00a0For more problem solving experience, have your child work with a friend to make their creation. \u00a0This activity also encourages inventiveness. <\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cThe kind of people society needs to make it move forward are thinking, inventive people who seek new ways and improvements, not people who can only follow directions,” says MaryAnn Kohl<\/a>, an arts educator and author of numerous books about children\u2019s art education. “Art is a way to encourage the process and the experience of thinking and making things better!”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    5- Story Inspired Art<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Book illustrations can be a wonderful way to inspire your home art. \u00a0Here are a few examples:<\/span><\/p>\n