Art Projects for Young Preschoolers

I thought I would share some ART+PLAY projects we did this year.
We drew with water color crayons and then painted over them with watercolor paints. Three Friends on Swings by Amelia 5 years old

Reflection Cards

My Aunt Elizabeth inspired this idea...
For her birthday I gave her a set of the Reflection Cards I make

Georgia on My Mind

A few years ago it became a goal of mine to create Artist Baskets that would share with young children about the lives of some of the artists who have created works of art that they may be exposed to.

A few famous names came to mind right away: Van Goh, Matisse, Picasso, Jackson Pollack, and I realized that they were ALL men. Talented artists who I love and adore but still, ALL men, and there are little girls who are artists! And so I began searching out some more talented artists (who happened to be female) to balance my collection. Easier said than done...

So, to share with you, should you want to enrich your classrooms or homes with Artist Baskets of your own, these are the female artists I added to my list:

• Mary Cassatt
• Georgia O'Keeffe
• Grandma Moses
• Frida Kahlo
• Beatrix Potter

Here is a sample of one of my artist story baskets.
Artist: Georgia O'Keeffe
Presentation:

Belated Birthday wishes.... and other fun stuff!

It was my Dad's birthday recently.

Some More of My Heroes

Aline Manna
Theodor Seuss Geisel
Alicia Nash
Single parents everywhere
Trina Schart Hyman
Shel Silverstein
My Mom

Artist Basket: Henri Matisse

Artist: Henri Matisse
Materials:rug for presentation

Henri Matisse doll representation(s)

Small easel with several small prints of his work (I used post cards)

miniature toboggan (found as a Christmas tree ornament or sometimes where doll house furniture is sold)

Playmobil leaf accessories (collected from my boy's playmobile stuff)

circus animals (again, stolen from, I mean collected from, my boy's toy bins)

Presentation:

child size pair of scissors

scraps of color paper

a doll bed

a fisher price doll wheel chair (part of the Little People school bus set)

While the Wild One Napped

Here is a pen and ink of small hands that have found a treasure.

Maybe he needs MORE?

In Montessori we are trained to evaluate ourselves and the environment when a child is displaying behaviors that we do not desire

Two beautiful Summer Time Practical Life Activities!

Sorting Seashells by the Seashore

A friend gave me these star fish plates. (Thank you Susan)
They screamed "Summer Camp" to me and so I passed them along to Cornerspring's Summer Camp program, along with the tongs. And so I quickly pulled this little beauty together! Isn't it lovely to look at?

Almost every person is drawn to it the moment they walk into the Practical Life area. But I have to say, it is a bit of a challenge. My Little One was too busy with play ground play to give it a try but for ME, it was a challenge!
Here is why:
Because the shells were cone shaped it made it especially hard to pick them up with tongs.
So, although this work was certainly ascetically pleasing, I felt it was a bit too difficult for a 3-6 class. Perhaps if a different shape of shell was used it would allow even the youngest child to be successful while using it.
It's important to try out the works you create prior to putting them on the shelf.

Another idea: small sponge pieces!