Do Something! Process Art

Another week has gone by and the weekend approaches.  Time to grab the kiddos and Do Something! 

This week, Process Art...

Shrinky Dink Beading and Splat Painting! Littlest Birds Studio

Painting with Floor Scrubs: Little Running Teacher

Painting by centrifugal force: irrisistable ideas for play based learning

Straw Painting: Jada Roo Can Do

Fork-Scrape Painting: The Imagination Tree

Rolling Pin Painting: Casa Maria's Creative Learning Zone

3D Sticky, Drippy Corn Syrup Fun: Time For Play

Balloon Painting: Jada Roo Can Do

Multi Media Collage: Casa Maria's Creative Learning Zone

Experimenting with Texture: Homemade Paint Brushes and Texture Tools: Pink and Green Mama

There are soooooo many more...but I'll save those for another day.  If you need an idea book, check out this ebook by Childhood 101 creator Christie Burnett:

Art Not Craft- The Process of Learning Creatively

A few other great books covering the area of play and process art:

It's Playtime: Process Art & Play

Why It's Playtime?

We started It's Playtime as a group to promote play based learning and process art (also known as open-ended art).  Play based learning is exactly what it sounds like: learning through play.  This includes socialization, cooperation, as well as math, science, and reading.  Ever played a matching game with your child?  My 3-year-old son and I play a number matching game using Uno cards.

We take turns drawing cards from the pile.  We stack numbers that match into corresponding piles.  Once all the cards have been matched, we stack the number piles into sequence: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.  My son loves it!  We are playing together and he is learning his numbers (and sequence)...play based learning!  No worksheets and no flash cards!

What about process art (or open-ended art)?  Process art is very different from a craft.  A craft means an end product: a duck, a frog, a fish, etc.  Crafts are about following directions, but not about exploration and imagination.  Process art allows for experimentation.  There is no end product except what's in the child's mind at the time.  Sometimes the art looks like something, sometimes it doesn't.  But isn't art about expression and interpretation?  What is learned is fine motor skills, creativity, expression, and taking risks.  Check out this process art project over at The Life and Times of Angelyn:

Raindrops

Yes, there is a theme, but the pictures are all unique.

And when mom and dad ask what their picture is, because it's us that want it to be something, not them, they won't all say, "rain drops".  It will be whatever they want it to be at THAT moment.

My son, Michael, recently created a more permanent process art masterpiece. I gave him some paint, some tools and a canvas to work on...

 He had complete freedom to explore color and materials and I think he created something beautiful.

This week at It's Playtime, I want you to think about how you and your children have played and what they have created.  Was it a craft?  A worksheet?  Or did they learn through play and expression?  Then share you're favorite play based or process art activity with all of us.

This weeks hostesses are myself and 4 other talented bloggers:

Our newest playtime partner (give her a warm welcome!): let the children play

hands on: as we grow: Move that Body!

Quirky momma: Planning for a road-trip with preschoolers

The Imagination Tree: Playing with Ice Cubes

No need to post in all 5 places; posting on one site will post on them all.

*If you have joined our play date before, please do not repeat past postings.  By posting on the link below, you are giving me permission to use the link and one image to feature in a future blog posting.

And don't forget to grab a button!  

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And my featured blog get's an extra special button:

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Canvas Painting Exploration

One day, while digging through my garage, I found some art canvas.  Instead of holding onto it until I got around to filling it up, I decided it was time to allow the kids to create some permanent artwork.  Inspired by some fork-scrape painting over at The Imagination Tree I gave the kids various items to use in their creation. 

   Michael began by choosing his colors and squeezing a little onto the canvas.  Oh, and that "black eye" was face paint his sister had applied.

Valspar Paint had sent me a free sample which included this great roller (click the link for your free sample kit)!

Michael liked the design the dough cutter left when he rolled it through the paint.  

More color!

And more...

Then he tried scraping the paint with an old card. 

And stamping with a cork. 

Of course, we had to try a fork.  Michael chose to dab with it rather then scrap.

A plain, ol' brush was the last tool used.  

He decided to add a bit of sparkle before the paint dried.

A process art masterpiece!  

 My daughter chose a different approach.

Her painting continues to be a work in progress...

Art is not craft.  Art is about expression and exploration: exploring color, exploring media, and exploring application techniques.  How have your children explored art recently?  I'd love to hear about it!

Do Something! 4/22-4/28

This weeks Do Something! was inspired last night while reading the book Happy Easter by Kurt Wiese.  I decided to share my favorite egg dyeing techniques I have come across recently.  There were so many!  But I will keep it simple.

Egg Dyeing Using a Colander: Pink and Green Mama

Egg Dyeing with Rubber Cement: thegreatscotts

Natural Egg Dyes: The Homeschool Classroom

Marbled Easter Eggs (wooden): Tot School

Rolled Easter Egg Painting (wooden): The Chocolate Muffin Tree & Tinkerlab

4 Egg Dyeing Techniques: hands on: as we grow

And of course when you are done collecting all your eggs, you need a way to eat them!

Deviled Eggs for Easter: Kiboomu!

It's Playtime 4/21

Welcome to this weeks It's Playtime play date!
Are you ready to play?

I share hosting with three other wonderful sites this week.  Take a moment and check out their featured articles from last weeks It's Playtime!

The Imagination Tree- Royalty

Quirky Momma- Gardening with Preschoolers

hands on: as we grow- activities for little hands

Earth Day is on Friday and my kids and I have been busy reusing and recycling this past week.  On Saturday, they designed beautiful Egg Shell Sculptures saved from our breakfasts.  The base was an old cracker box.  

I've personally been saving boxes for art, plastic bottles for our future water wall, and containers (i.e. parmesan cheese, cornstarch, etc.) for sensory play.  

Some of our friends at It's Playtime shared these Earth Day themed activities at last weeks play date:

Earth Day Activities: An Amazing Child

8 Recycled Projects for Earth Day: The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Trashy Tuesday: 2 Liter Soda Bottles: Getting Messy with Ms Jessi

cardboard castle..tutorial: kinderpendant

A special button for those featured this week on It's Playtime:

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Please join our play date by adding your latest or favorite play based activity.  No need to post in 4 places; posting with one hostess posts with all!
*If you have joined our play date before, please do not repeat past postings.  By posting on the link below, you are giving me permission to use the link and one image to feature in a future blog posting.  

And don't forget to grab a button!

  

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