Escort your Artist Class
What to Expect
CLASS STRUCTURE / PACE: This class is a very open-ended, process-oriented class. We set up approximately four different project stations (“invitations to create”) at tables with small stools (where you can sit next to them), at a large round table that is toddler standing height, and at our large wall space. There is usually one sensory project, or a project with a sensory component (many of our other stations have a sensory element as well). We always have two teachers and will give you a quick overview of the projects/materials when you arrive and then you’ll be free to move around at your own pace. We’ll be buzzing around to make sure everyone is having fun, refreshing materials, interacting/playing with the little ones, and helping you wherever possible. No need to arrive early – they usually want to dive right in as soon as you walk in the door!
We plan projects with the goal of providing stimulating, interesting materials that invite children to create. We may have a suggestion of what a project could end up looking like (for example, an owl collage) but there is no “right or wrong” way to use the materials and we certainly don’t expect everyone to make something that looks like an owl! In this example, older kids (2.5 -3ish) will be excited to “make an owl” – even though it may not end up looking anything like an owl, but younger children won’t be able to visualize or connect with the idea of making an “owl”, they will just enjoy exploring the materials, learning the colors and shapes, and arranging all the pieces to make something “owl-ish”. It’s always better if you just let them create at their own pace and in their own way rather than doing something for them or repositioning things. Also, if they are enjoying one component of a project, with no interest in anything else that is set out, that’s ok! Let them stay and enjoy that as long as they want!
OUR GOALS: We are always striving to come up with new and fun ideas to slather paint, drizzle glue, arrange shapes, and mix colors in ways that helps develop fine/gross motor skills, improve hand+eye coordination, develop language, make decisions, make connections (when I do this, that happens….), socialize (playing with others, learning to take turns and share), and gain an awareness of colors, shapes, lines, forms & textures.
YOUR ROLE: The most important thing to remember with this age, is that all children have different temperaments and attention spans. It’s very normal for them to not want to sit still or need to run around for a minute! Unless they are rolling around on the floor having a meltdown, you’d be surprised what they are taking in and processing. You can help them by encouraging them, cheering them on, playing with them, showing them how to use the materials (but not doing it “for” them), using words to build their vocabulary, and re-engaging them if they lose interest or have a short attention span. We’ll be there to help with all that! For kids 2.5 – 3ish, you can challenge them a bit further with prompts like “Oh! look at all those circles you just painted – how many are there?”, “What happens if you mix yellow & blue?” and “Can you find something round <bumpy, shiny, etc.)?” You get the picture.