Little Artists at Large! Art and Socialise Session

Hi all! This 2-hr art exploration and social session is for toddlers aged 20 months to 4 years of age. We'll start with free play and settle in with songs and a story book. This is followed by the art session, followed with snacks (sometimes in between), messy play and close with a gallery session.

All art sessions are thoughtfully planned to ensure that each child will hone a wide range of skills in the process.

Whenever possible, I will incorporate the use of recyclable materials into the art so l'il ones look at every day things as new things they can create and use, to ignite their imagination and creativity.

Art is important because:

*Art gives children a sense of independence and freedom that comes with expressing themselves and their imagination.

*Art is tactile and ignites a child's senses. They experience different materials and textures, malleable materials, runny substances, etc. The variety of materials experienced helps them explore the physical world and understand how different materials act.

*Art teaches cause and effect as children interact with objects and materials to create different things and understand how they work as they work towards an end result.

*Art allows a child to witness their creations culminate in a final result, and they will take pride in seeing them over again, or when others admire their work. This provides great satisfaction for children and develops positive self-esteem.

*Art is about making decisions. The thought processes that go on whilst a child is creating their art give them confidence in making decisions as a cornerstone to future decision making and problem solving: What to do first, and second, and so on? What colours to use? What options to take to get a final result?

*Art is about developing fine motor skills and coordination. To paint, stick, cut, roll, dab, brush, colour... All of these rely on the ability to control hands and fingers which will help master fine control over their hands so they can learn to write and coordinate themselves in school.

*Art teaches a child how to focus, to be precise, to complete an activity from start to finish.

*Art teaches math skills, in measuring, understanding quantities, etc.

Here is also something I took from an article which shows all of the benefits associated with children learning art while they are young and the impact it has on their lives:
1.Art stimulates both sides of the brain.
2.33% of kids are visual learners.
3.There are studies that show that kids, who make art, read better and get better grades in science and mathematics.
4.The kids learn by using their senses and art is ideal in this process.
5.The kids need a place to express themselves.
6.Art promotes self esteem.
7.Art encourages kids to give more attention to the physical space that surround them.
8.Art develops hand and eye coordination.
9.Art stimulates perception.
10.Art teaches them to think openly. It represents a culture of questioners more than a culture of responders.
11.Art teaches that there is more than one solution for a problem.
12.Art teaches kids to think creatively to solve problems.
13.Kids can share and reflect on their work of art and learn something about the world they live in.
14.When art is integrated with the other subjects in the curriculum, kids commit more to the learning process.
15.In the process of doing art, the child is exposed to different possibilities, to discover and to freedom, this way they avoid falling into the control and the predictability of the conventional education in the world today.
16.Art nourishes the human soul. One feels good doing it; humans have been doing it since we dwelled in caves!
17.Art brings the cultural resources of the community into the class.
18.Art provides a common ground across racial stereotypes, barriers and prejudices.

Donation:
$25 per child, 1st sibling is $18, subsequent siblings: $10. In order for me to plan the class and buy materials, please kindly show up if you do RSVP. This goes towards materials, snacks, other prep for the session, cleanup and maintaining the website. Thanks!

Let's create art and socialise at the same time!! :)

Here's what we will create in the next 4 weeks (further weeks to be posted after):

Week 1: Colourful Birds at Large!

• Medium used: acrylic and watercolour. Children will learn how to use brushes and finger paint and experience the difference in textures and effects with both methods.

Week 2: Caterpillars at Large!

• Medium used: watercolour and oil pastels. Other skills: tearing and pasting. Children will learn the magic art of mixing mediums to create interesting effects.

Week 3: Mini Mozart at Large!

• Medium used: acrylic and oil pastels. Other skills: cutting, painting, rolling and pasting. We will also play Mozart so the children can listen to his music for a tad of music appreciation.

Week 4: Kaleidoscope Colours at Large!

• Medium used: acrylic and foam. Other skills: mixing colours, using a pipette and toothbrush. Children and Moms will be amazed at the final effect!!