The Preschool art center is the hub of creativity in the preschool classroom. First of all, preschool art has the ability to transform, to calm and inspire. Because expressing creativity is such an important part of human development, an inviting and well-stocked art center is essential.
Learning at the Preschool Art Center
As with every learning center, there is even more learning going on at the art center than meets the eye. While cutting, painting, and drawing, children are developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Likewise, at the easel and with large projects, gross motor development occurs. Similarly, there is science as children watch colors mix, and literacy connections as we venture into process art related to books we are reading. Also, as children work together on group projects, there is social/emotional growth occurring as children share and cooperate to create something special. Certainly, the list could go on!
Preschool Art Center Supplies
If your classroom is anything like mine, storage space is minimal. We have a central storage area for the entire preschool where we keep jugs of paint, liquid watercolor, easels, gallons of glue, and watercolor trays. For that reason, my classroom art center is stocked with just the essentials. So, if you are setting up your art center, the list below is a great start. I have all of the items below within reach in my art center.
- Markers
- Crayons
- Scissors
- Glue Sticks
- Liquid Glue
- Construction Paper
- Drawing Paper
- Paint Cups
- Paint Brushes
- Water Color Trays
- Colored Pencils
- A Bin of Scrap Paper
- Containers of Craft Supplies
- A Drying Rack
- Smocks
Painting
When you place a young child in front of an easel with paint and brushes…something magical happens. The sensory experience of feeling the smooth paint travel across the paper seems to calm and center young children. Easel painting puts their creations at eye-level where they can watch colors swirl and mix right before their eyes! Consequently, some children would love to spend the entire center time painting at the easel. It is probably my favorite art activity.
The Preschool Art Center: Process Art
In contrast to easel painting, process art involves combining materials and techniques in the creative process. Maybe we paint, but we might paint with make-up sponges, feathers, tissue rolls, or dish scrubbers. Also, children will cut, glue, draw, add glitter, layer, and collage. Another thing you might try is to use process art as literacy connections, creating art relating to books and stories.
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Farm Animals -
Names -
Using Nature in Art -
Dish Scrubber Stamping -
Collaging -
Feather Painting
The Preschool Art Center: Getting Crafty
I love getting crafty with my classes! Whenever we create something that the kids can play with…I know the kids will be begging to come to my center! Whether it’s bats that fly, superhero triangles, groundhogs, Chinese dragons, kites, or lizards, they love it! As a result, I try to add a fun craft to my lesson plans wherever possible! With a little research, creativity, and prep, it is easy to come up with a theme-related craft that will wow your class.
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Lizards -
Bats -
Groundhogs -
Dragonflies
Finally, your art center should be a place where your class can explore their creative side, get messy, and have FUN while learning!
