Art Studio 5

Tie on an apron and get creative together at the Painting Wall in Studio 5.

Explore

Fine motor skills are built while holding and gripping a paint brush, as well as using hands and fingers. The painting wall encourages hand-eye coordination, while simultaneously providing an important sensory experience.

Discover

While they work at the painting wall, children are exploring cause and effect as they mix colors, spray and wipe. This inspires the ability to make predictions during future experiences.

Immerse

When children are encouraged to get messy while they paint, they are more able to lose themselves in the process. By not focusing on a representational "product", children enter a state of flow. This state may resemble a "daydream" state, which as adults we recognize often leads to "a-ha moments."

Imagine

Through open-ended art experiences, children express their individuality, which builds self-esteem. They are also working with other children at the painting wall to take turns with brushes, spray bottles and squeegees.

Connect

The act of painting requires children to function on several levels at once: sharing, brushing, mixing and imagining all while standing up. As adults, we’re frequently required to do many things at once. Experiences like the painting window help young children integrate all of these skills and will strengthen their ability to be creative thinkers as they grow.

Museum at Home

If you have an old acrylic or Plexiglas picture frame at home, you can make your own mini-painting window. Remove any hardware from the clear area and cover the sharp edges with duct tape. Use washable Tempera paint (we mix ours with a little soap for easy clean up) in old yogurt containers. If you have some paintbrushes, that’s great; if not, you can use cotton swabs or let  children use their fingers.Worried about the mess? Try painting in the tub or the back yard!

Questions to ask your child:

• Can you tell me about what you’re making?
• What do you think will happen if…?
• Can you think of another way to do that?

Art experiences for young children can vary depending on age and development. Typical art by young children doesn’t become representational until around their 4th birthday, and this can vary with each individual child. Try to resist the urge to ask, “What is it?” as your child works on their art. Encourage creativity and independence by allowing them to make their own choices and follow their imaginations. Foster a lifelong love of art by becoming a collector, and not a critic, of the most important artist you’ll ever know!