How do I do art with my children???

This is a record of the projects that I have done with my own children, so you will want to fine tune the projects to your family's interests. I started recording these at the urging of a few of the moms in my local homeschool group who felt like they wanted to do art with their young children, but didn't know where to start. These ideas are sometimes more experiential than "high art" but most people just enjoy the time to get their creative juices flowing, even it the product isn't bound for a museum. I hope you enjoy using some of these ideas in your home.

Art experiences do not have to be expensive or elaborate for young children. Offering one new technique per week and time to explore it is often all a child needs to spark their creativity. This blog offers simple art lessons to use with your students. Most of the lessons will be suitable or adaptable to all age groups. Some such suggestions are often offered. Most of the lessons use materials you already have in your home or can cheaply aquire. A few use "real" art supplies from an art store, but I try to offer suggestions for a substitute of more common materials. (If you are looking for a lesson using a particular material, a listing is on the sidebar of this site.)

MATERIALS:
pencils (graphite/colored),
crayons (64),
markers,
scissors,
construction paper (colored and white),
tape, glue,
tempera or acrylic paint
oil pastels & chalk pastels (optional)

**Please consider the following suggestions in your home art program**

1) JOIN IN with your students. This accomplishes three things...1) that this is something enjoyable/worthwhile, and 2) it shows process better to actually see someone doing it, and 3) This project should take X minutes (Students sometimes rush too much (or conversly, overwork a picture) if I just throw him off on his own the first time).

2) ALLOW YOUNGER STUDENTS TO WORK TOO. Spend time talking about how each did an good job for his or her age--even Mom! This can be really positive, building self esteem and appreciation for others' work.**DON'T EXCPECT A PERFECT PICTURE. Some techniques will work out better for one student than another. Make "process" the goal, not the resulting product. Students will likely find a handful of techniques they will use time and again, developing them as they go.

3)Once the Initial presentation is through, place the activity on a tray for a week to ALLOW MORE PRACTICE.

4)ESTABLISH A MUSEUM. At the end of the week or session, critique your pieces and choose the best to be mounted on contruction paper and hung in your "museum". Students will be really proud of this!

Above All, have fun with your students!