Would you rather your preschoolers be more like themselves or just like everyone else? If you care for 3-5-year-olds, I’m guessing you would choose the former. This is why I am so passionate about process art for preschoolers.
Process Art for Preschoolers
PICTURE THIS …
Sally dips her paintbrush in the little glass jar. She drags the brush across her paper, leaving behind a stunning stripe of brilliant turquoise. Next on Sally’s paper arrives a large area of bright magenta. She fills the rest of her paper with a vibrant orange.
While her paper is still wet, Sally picks up a pinch of salt and sprinkles it on one corner of her painting. As the salt absorbs the water, dots begin to appear and then grow. The look on Sally’s face is one of shock and awe. Quickly, she grabs another, larger pinch of salt, sprinkling it all across her paper.
Sally’s smile grows and she squeals with delight. “Look! Look what I made! Can I do it again?” Of course she can, and she does. This time her choices are purple and yellow paint, sprinkled with rock salt, creating a completely different effect.
Sally’s story illustrates Process Art in action. Completely engaged in an open-ended art experience and empowered to express herself, she was free to explore the materials and experiment with techniques.
And while Sally turned out two paintings worthy of display, that may not always happen, and that is okay because remember, it is all about the process, not the product.
Process Art vs Product Art
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Simply put, process art values the experience of creating the artwork while the other, product art, values the final result.
I don’t know about you, but I would much rather hear my preschoolers say, “Look what I made!” or “Can I do it again?” than “Is this right?” or “Can I be done now?”
Benefits of Process Art for Preschoolers
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) praises Process Art for its developmentally appropriate benefits, including:
- Social and Emotional Health – Allowing children to be in control of making artistic decisions provides a positive outlet for independence, risk-taking, self-expression, ownership, and confidence.
- Cognitive Development – Process Art in itself is an exploratory activity that encourages experimentation which leads to natural opportunities to make observations, ask questions, solve problems, make mistakes, and make new discoveries.
- Fine Motor Skills – Children use the small muscles in their hands and wrists to paint, cut, glue, mix, stamp, pour…you name it! Strengthening these muscles helps children to accomplish everyday tasks and self-care.
- Language – When preschoolers talk about their art with others, they are building upon their listening and speaking skills. Placing original bottles of glue and paint on the table provides a print-rich environment for reading. I always ask children to “sign their artwork.” This is a great opportunity for preschoolers to practice writing their name, or at least the first letter depending upon their age and development.
7 Simple Ways to Get Started with Process Arts
Giving young children creative freedom sounds a little scary, I know! You might be thinking:
- What if I don’t have enough materials?
- What if they make a mess?
- What if they don’t know what to do?
- What if they do it wrong?
Try not to worry. Take a deep breath and follow these simple steps. Most importantly, enjoy the process!
1. Provide Tools & Materials
Offer supplies that the children can use independently. Keep it simple, especially at first. Introduce new supplies when you and the children are ready. Rachelle from Tinkerlab suggests choosing one supply from each of the following five categories (FYI: I added a fifth category, “Medium,” which Rachelle includes in her “Tools” category):
- Base – paper, wood, clay, cardboard, styrofoam
- Connectors – glue, tape, string, yarn
- Tools – paintbrush, sponge, scissors
- Medium – paint, pencils, crayons, markers
- Treasures – sequins, glitter, beads, fabric, ribbon, bubble wrap
2. Plan for a Mess
Anticipating this and planning ahead will save you time and stress. Set up your art area in a way that will make clean up easy:
- Line the table with cloth or paper.
- Place a mat or tarp on the floor.
- Have the children wear smocks or old t-shirts over their clothes.
- If you don’t have a sink nearby, make sure to have wipes available.
- Make your expectations clear. For example, remind the children to use one paintbrush for every color.
3. Give Them Freedom
Allow your preschoolers to follow their own interests by giving the option to participate (or not) and engage in their own way. For hesitant artists, provide gentle encouragement. Try asking questions such as, “Which color will you choose first?”
4. Keep Sensory Needs in Mind
While finger painting or collage-making might sound glorious to one child, another may be horrified at the idea of paint or glue on their hands. Offer craft sticks or another tool in the application process.
5. Step Back
Let the children work undisturbed. Unless there is a safety issue, it is really important to allow your preschoolers to explore the materials, make their own artistic decisions, and solve problems. They will learn so much through the process.
6. Watch Your Words
Be conscious of the language you use while discussing a child’s art. Stick to open-ended questions and objective comments that don’t pass judgment.
- “Tell me more about what you are doing.”
- “How did you attach this?”
- “You used so many colors!”
- “What is this new color you made?”
- “I can see how hard you are working.”
Make it a Joyful Experience
Let them use more paint. Give them plenty of time. Allow them to make more and more artwork. Give them the choice to take their art home or leave it at school. Say “yes” to their ideas. Play music in the background. Take art materials outside. Remember that it is the children’s art, not yours.
And that’s it! Process Art in action!
What do you think of Process Art? Have you tried it? If not, will you? Reply in the comments. I would love to know your thoughts!
Related Posts:
- My 3 Favorite Process Art Activities Perfect for a Preschool Ocean Theme Blog Post with Free Printable (published on 6-3-22)
- 41 Affordable and Absolutely Essential Art Supplies You Need for Your Next Ocean Theme (available 6-17-22).
