When your toddler asks to get out the paints at home, do you automatically say
“Maybe later?” Even if you pride yourself on getting messy at home, would you
like to learn how you can further nurture your child’s natural desire to explore
their creative side? The art classes create a fun and safe zone for
your toddler or preschooler to explore art processes and materials while learning valuable skills
and enhancing their development.
Art activites allow young children to:
-refine motor skills and coordination.
-practice important social skills such as cooperation and following simple
directions.
-gain confidence by making decisions and learning to use new materials
and tools.
-recognize and identify colors, shapes, symbols, etc. – a precursor to
reading and writing and part of their language development.
With a parent or caregiver’s guidance, children will explore various art materials
and tools in a small class setting, experiencing new colors, textures and mark
making. Each week the instructor will introduce a new art medium, keeping basic
materials and their setup the same so the children maintain a sense of familiarity
with their learning environment. For preschoolers, art prints will be displayed as a visual stimulus,
and literature and song will be incorporated to reinforce concepts they are
exploring in an end of class gathering. For the one year olds who are still exploring with their mouths, most the art materials are edible (made by the instructor herself!) so that there are no worries when a paintbrush ends up a mouth. Parents and caregivers will also leave each class with tips on how to incorporate “art moments” into their child’s day-today
life.
Using non-toxic (and sometimes edible!) materials with gentle guidance and
direction allows for a process-oriented, child-centered environment that
encourages even the youngest of children to experience art making to their full
capacity.
Call The Tree House or stop by to sign up for one of our art classes!
