As a parent, it has been amazing watching my children grow into individuals, their personalities shining through their actions and behaviors. It was easy to see early on that my daughter is a creative being. I have always tried to nurture that by ensuring she had a variety of supplies at her disposal. She has always loved taking those materials and creating artwork and is especially fond of drawing. She wants to be an artist and has even illustrated her own book. We’ve done specific crafts, but most often I enjoy seeing what she comes up with on her own. KinderCare Learning Centers call this “process” or child-directed art. The goal is to limit step-by-step instruction. Rather than having a right or wrong way, the children are given the supplies to create as they please. This allows them to use and develop their imagination. While all parents adore showcasing their child’s masterpieces, more often the process of creating it is more important than the end result.
Cute cheerful child with painted hands, isolated over white
This type of art is used in KinderCare Learning Centers every day as they encourage self-expression in each of the children. Self-expression can be defined as the assertion of one’s own personality as in conversation, behavior, poetry, or painting. KinderCare offers many suggestions on their website on how to further instill a love of adventure in your children. They call them Living Room Adventures and they make fantastic ways for you and your children to spend time together while exploring the world of creativity.
Living Room Adventures:
- Rock Band on a Shoestring – Use boxes, rubber bands, plastic spoons, and more to create concert worthy instruments.
- Foam Art – Get messy with puffy paint made with shaving cream, craft glue, and food coloring.
- Painting With Nature – Use items found in nature such as pinecones, branches, and leaves as paint brushes.
- Cloud Crafts – Find and use white items from the home to create sky-inspired art.
- Glistening Salt Paint Art – Use table salt, food coloring, and glue to make a sparkly medium for experimentation.
- DIY Nature Placemats – Affix flowers and leaves to construction and contact paper for a masterpiece you can eat on.
Together with learning centers such as KinderCare, parents are able to show their children how to experience excitement and fun while learning about the world around them.
