We wanted to help the children to become more intentional with their creations, to start and complete a painting with one focus and then add details. To do this we provided them with pictures to use as inspiration. We used things around the room, as well as books and the iPad to find pictures of things they wanted to paint. The children used these as inspiration and then were able to expand using their own ideas and adding their own details. Many of them were interested in animals and insects.
"It's a lady bug and a shiny green beetle. This one has really long legs!"
"I want to paint a cheetah. It has a tail and lots of spots."
In order to help the children to plan out their paintings, we began to draw out our work before painting it. This way we can erase it if we do not like it and change it. They choose what they would like to paint, and used the same tools as inspiration. Then once they had finished their drawing they painted it.
Early Childhood Standards of Quality: Early Learning Expectation
1. Visual Arts: Children show how they feel, what they think, and what they are learning through experiences in the visual arts.
2. Spoken Language: Expressive. Children develop abilities to express themselves clearly and communicate ideas to others.
3.Viewing Images and Other Media Materials: Children begin to develop strategies that assist them in viewing a variety of images and multimedia materials effectively and critically.
4. Creativity and Innovation: Children use a variety of developmentally appropriate digital tools to learn and create.
5. Fine Motor Development: Children experience growth in fine motor development and use small muscles to improve a variety of fine motor skills both in structured and unstructured settings.
