designing learning areas: art center

ART CENTER

Aler | Canillas | Cappal

ART CENTER One of the greatest drives human

beings have is to express themselves. Young children are no exception.

Provides children time for free exploration and creative play with various media (The blank page is powerful

Develops the children’s fine motor skills

ART CENTER Provides opportunities for children

to make inter-curricular connections

Develop their ability to critique and appreciate fine art

A place for young children to explore the world of scribbles, shapes, designs and pictures

ART CENTER A fun place to work

independently or in cooperation with others to develop and strengthen concepts and skills

To expose children to a variety of mediums in different ways

Should encourage the children’s individual expression and creativity

Available as a free choice

What the children learn

Creativity and individuality Imagination Master simple shapes and colors Communication skills Fine motor skills: pre-writing skills,

squeezing and gripping, enhancing muscle development and coordination

Conceptualization

Questions to consider

Where will children put their finished art?

Can they get to the finished art spot without having to carry a very, heavily painted paper through ALL of the other interest centers?

Is the Art Center close to the hand washing sink or bathroom?

Is the Art Center accessible to children?

Guidelines - Location

Near a sink Have good natural light Have sufficient space so that

children can work comfortably Must be easy to clean

Guidelines – Art Materials

Accessible to the children Related to other classroom

experiences(ex: theme-related material)

Different levels of ability Labeled materials

Guidelines – Art Materials

Diverse collection from the following categories: Drawing materials Paint materials Three-dimensional art material Collage material Tools

Tips for Inclusion

Have a range of writing and painting implements (thin, stubby, big and small) so that children can use tools appropriate to their dexterity level.

Experiment with tabletop easels, large pieces of paper on the floor, and paper inside a shirt-size box to find a comfortable work surface for every child.

FurnishingsTables – smooth surfaceChairsHigh, closed storage – for adult useLow, open multi-unit storage shelves

– for children’s useEaselsDrying rackHooks or pegsDisplay space – for two-dimensional

and three-dimensional art

Art MaterialsFinger paint and

Tempera PaintWatercolorsBrushes of

various sizesPlay doughSponges of

various shapes and sizes

Various types of paper including finger paint paper

Stamps and stamp pads

FabricsScissors

Art MaterialsPencils, pens,

markers, colored pencils, crayons and chalk

Tape, glue sticks, and glue bottles

Collage materialsStickersCraft foams

Art printsNewspapers and

magazinesYarns, ribbons,

strings and straws

Various colors of craft sticks

Other MaterialsApronsWater spray bottlesHand washTowelsPans of soapy waterCleaning ragsMops

Sources

Allen, M. (2007). Early Childhood Centers, Grades PreK-K. Huntington Beach: Creative Teaching Press.

Carmouche, T. (M.Ed.) (2011, May 1). Establishing Learning Centers in an Early Childhood Classroom Setting. Child Development and Lifelong Learning. Lecture conducted from University of Louisiana, Lafayette.

Pardee, M. (2005). Equipping and Furnishing Early Childhood Facilities.Community Investment Community for Kids Resource Guide, 3, 44.

Petersen, E. A. (1996) A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Planning, Methods, and Materials: the what, why, and how of lesson plans. Where It Happens: Basic Elements of the Setting (pp. 112-130). Massachusetts-Allyn & Bacon.