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What We Do and Why
Art
is an important part of our curriculum. Every day, children find a variety of
art materials available on our shelves. Drawing, painting, cutting, gluing
and playing with playdough are not only enjoyable but also provide important
opportunities for learning. Children express original ideas and feelings,
improve their coordination, develop small muscle skills, learn to recognize
colors and textures, and develop creativity and pride in their
accomplishments by exploring and using art materials.
When
children are engaged in art activities, we talk with them about what they are
doing and ask questions that encourage them to think about their ideas and
express feelings. We like to focus on what children are doing – not on what
their finished artwork looks like. For example we may say, “Tell me about
your picture” instead of “What did you make?”
Adapted from A Letter to Parents on
Art by the Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood
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Favorite Recipes for Goopy Art materials
Playdough
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 teaspoon cream of
tartar
2 tablespoons
vegetable oil
1 teaspoon food
coloring
Directions:
Mix ingredients in
saucepan and stir constantly over medium heat until dough leaves sides of pan
and forms a ball. Remove from pan and knead until cool. Store in airtight
container.
Variations:
Add vanilla, orange
or lemon extract to water.
Use essential oils
for scent.
Use unsweetened
Koolaid packet instead of food coloring
Add glitter for a
little sparkle
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 Finger
Paint
Ingredients:
½ cup cornstarch
1 package
unflavored gelatin
food coloring
water
Directions:
Mix cornstarch with
¾ cup water to make a paste. Soak the gelatin with ¼ cup water. Mix the
cornstarch past and gelatin mixture together. Pour mixture into 2 cups of
boiling water and add food coloring. Cook over medium heat until thick.
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 Gak
Container 1:
¾
cup water
1
cup white school glue
Container 2:
¾
cup water
1
tablespoon Borax
Food
coloring
Directions:
Stir both mixtures. Combine the contents of
container 2 (Borax mixture) into the contents
of container one. (glue mixture) Stir together.
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