First Steps in Art is a program designed for children from 3.5 to 5.5 years old, where they explore, experiment, and discover lots of different ways to express themselves through visual art. Each lesson consists of several small projects (2-3), where young artists work around a theme using various media: paints, clay, markers, tissue paper, and more… I believe in the huge benefits of choice-based art education at this age. The choice-based approach regards students as artists and offers them real choices for responding to their own ideas and interests. We work with small “art centers” where students can choose different project materials. I let the students develop self-confidence and responsibility in making art.
The in-studio lessons are 45 minutes long.
Materials primarily used in the classroom (all materials are non-toxic and safe):
- tempera/kids’ acrylic paints and solid tempera sticks
- watercolors
- oil pastels / water-soluble pastels
- markers
- soft pencils
- non-hardening modeling clay / Fimo clay/ Air-dry clay (I rarely use play-dough)
- all types of collage materials (tissue paper, felt, fabric, etc., etc.)