By: Sherry Frewerd
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don’t consider
themselves artistic. Parents do, however, worry about their
toddler’s art abilities. As a child care provider for the past
10 years, I’ve had many discussions with parents about
‘how their toddler is doing’ as far as getting ready for
preschool or kindergarten. They worry a lot about the final
product of their toddler’s art projects. I try to explain to them
that art is not just knowing how to draw a flower or a puppy,
or whether or not little Jason colors in the lines. Little kids
need to experience self-expression and the ‘doing of art’
more than having a page from a coloring book to hang on
the refrigerator.
When a two-year old puts his chubby little hand in a tub of
finger paint and happily smears all of the colors together on
the paper or when he makes yet another ‘snowman’ out of
play-doh, he’s creating. Granted, he will certainly tell you
that his painting is his dad’s truck even though you ‘just can’
t see it.’ The important thing to remember is that by allowing
our little kids to experience art in their own way, we let them
show us how they see the world around them, how they feel
and think.
I always enjoy art time with my toddler and preschool age
groups. Yeah, they can make a mess, but they just wiggle
with excitement when I take out the ‘arts & crafts’ tub of
supplies! Having been a military wife and lived in a few
different places, I’ve always returned to providing home day
care. As a result, I’ve had to make do with whatever space I
can find in the various homes we’ve lived in. There’s not
always a lot of room, but art can take place just about
anywhere. I’ve found that the activity is most effective when
it’s pre-planned and when I’ve set goals for the activity.
Art is important for toddlers because of the way it makes
little kids feel special and good about themselves. When
your toddler finishes a magazine cut-out collage and holds
up his masterpiece to you with that beaming smile doesn’t
that make you feel good about both of you? Through
creating simple art projects, that same toddler is not only
learning to take pride in his accomplishments, but also to
think and refine his hand-eye coordination and physical
skills. Through art, children learn to identify colors, cause-
and-effect, shapes, problem solving, sharing and
cooperation among many other skills.
Parents must remember to ask toddlers or preschoolers
questions about their projects that will make them think
about what they’ve made rather than ask them ‘What is
that?’ For example, ‘C.J., tell Mommy about your painting.’
C.J will start to talk about his work or anything else he feels
important at the time! This also shows your child that you
are interested in what he thinks and aren’t’ just confused
about what you see! Make sure to hang the art work up in a
prominent place in your home so the entire family can enjoy
it.
Art experiences are a major part of a toddler’s daily
activities. They have grown enough to grasp objects and
tear paper and hold crayons and brushes. Naturally they
are thrilled with the anticipation of a new art project, and
most importantly, with the quality time spent with the
important adults in his/her life.
themselves artistic. Parents do, however, worry about their
toddler’s art abilities. As a child care provider for the past
10 years, I’ve had many discussions with parents about
‘how their toddler is doing’ as far as getting ready for
preschool or kindergarten. They worry a lot about the final
product of their toddler’s art projects. I try to explain to them
that art is not just knowing how to draw a flower or a puppy,
or whether or not little Jason colors in the lines. Little kids
need to experience self-expression and the ‘doing of art’
more than having a page from a coloring book to hang on
the refrigerator.
When a two-year old puts his chubby little hand in a tub of
finger paint and happily smears all of the colors together on
the paper or when he makes yet another ‘snowman’ out of
play-doh, he’s creating. Granted, he will certainly tell you
that his painting is his dad’s truck even though you ‘just can’
t see it.’ The important thing to remember is that by allowing
our little kids to experience art in their own way, we let them
show us how they see the world around them, how they feel
and think.
I always enjoy art time with my toddler and preschool age
groups. Yeah, they can make a mess, but they just wiggle
with excitement when I take out the ‘arts & crafts’ tub of
supplies! Having been a military wife and lived in a few
different places, I’ve always returned to providing home day
care. As a result, I’ve had to make do with whatever space I
can find in the various homes we’ve lived in. There’s not
always a lot of room, but art can take place just about
anywhere. I’ve found that the activity is most effective when
it’s pre-planned and when I’ve set goals for the activity.
Art is important for toddlers because of the way it makes
little kids feel special and good about themselves. When
your toddler finishes a magazine cut-out collage and holds
up his masterpiece to you with that beaming smile doesn’t
that make you feel good about both of you? Through
creating simple art projects, that same toddler is not only
learning to take pride in his accomplishments, but also to
think and refine his hand-eye coordination and physical
skills. Through art, children learn to identify colors, cause-
and-effect, shapes, problem solving, sharing and
cooperation among many other skills.
Parents must remember to ask toddlers or preschoolers
questions about their projects that will make them think
about what they’ve made rather than ask them ‘What is
that?’ For example, ‘C.J., tell Mommy about your painting.’
C.J will start to talk about his work or anything else he feels
important at the time! This also shows your child that you
are interested in what he thinks and aren’t’ just confused
about what you see! Make sure to hang the art work up in a
prominent place in your home so the entire family can enjoy
it.
Art experiences are a major part of a toddler’s daily
activities. They have grown enough to grasp objects and
tear paper and hold crayons and brushes. Naturally they
are thrilled with the anticipation of a new art project, and
most importantly, with the quality time spent with the
important adults in his/her life.
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About the author: Sherry Frewerd publishes 'Family Play
and Learn' familyplayandlearn.com a play and learning
activity website for toddler and preschool age children.
and Learn' familyplayandlearn.com a play and learning
activity website for toddler and preschool age children.
Why Creativity and
Self-Expression are Important to
Little Kids
Self-Expression are Important to
Little Kids