User:SiennaGreenhalgh

Can you pull a straight line? Many grownups don’t consider on their own artistic. Parents do, however, worry about their toddler’s art abilities. As a child care provider for the past 10 years, I’ve had many discussions with parents about ‘how their toddler is doing’ as much as getting ready for preschool or kindergarten. These people worry a lot about the final product of their toddler’s art projects. I try to clarify for them that art is not only knowing how to draw a flower or a puppy, or whether or not little Jerrika colors in the outlines. Little kids need to experience self-expression and the ‘doing of art’ more than having a page from a coloring book to hang on the refrigerator.

When a two-year old puts his chubby little hand in a bathtub of finger paint and happily smears all of the colors together on the paper or if he makes yet another ‘snowman’ out of play-doh, he’s creating. Granted, he will certainly tell you that his painting is his dad’s truck while you ‘just cannot see it. ’ Typically the important thing to remember is that by allowing our little kids to experience art in their own way, we allow them to show us how they see the world around them, how they feel and think.

I always enjoy art time with my toddler and kindergarten age groups. Yeah, they can make a chaos, however they just wiggle with excitement when I take out the ‘arts & crafts’ tub of supplies! Having been a military spouse and lived in a few different places, I have always returned to providing home day care. Since a result, I’ve had to make do with whatever space I can find in the different homes we have lived in. There’s not always a lot of room, but art can take place just about anyplace. I’ve found that the activity is most effective when it’s pre-planned so when I’ve set goals for the activity.

Art is important for toddlers because of the way it makes little kids feel special and good about themselves. When your toddler finishes a journal cut-out collage and holds up his masterpiece to you with that beaming smile doesn’t that make you feel good about both of you? Through creating simple art projects, that same toddler is not just learning to take pride in his accomplishments, but also to think and improve his hand-eye coordination and physical skills. Through artwork, children learn to identify colors, cause-and-effect, shapes, problem solving, sharing and cooperation among many other skills.

Moms and dads must be sure you ask toddlers or preschoolers questions about their projects that will make them think about what they have made rather than ask them ‘What is that? ’ For example, ‘C. J., tell Mommy about your painting. ’ C. M will commence to discuss his work or anything otherwise he feels important at the time! This too shows your child that you are thinking about what this individual thinks and aren’t’ just confused about what you see! Make sure to hang the art work up in a prominent place at home so the entire family can enjoy it.

Art activities are a major part of a toddler’s daily activities. They may have grown enough to grasp objects and tear document and hold crayons and brushes. Naturally they are thrilled with the anticipation of a new art project, and most significantly, with the quality time spent with the important older people in his/her life.