FAQ
Q: Do I need a smock for class?
A: No we provide a large cotton t-shirt for children to wear over their clothes. These are much more comfortable then heavy plastic smocks.
Q: Should I avoid doing art with my child because he or she eats crayons, paint or modeling dough?
A: All the materials that we use in class are non- toxic. Taste is one of our senses and by tasting children are developing their senses. This is not to say that we encourage eating crayons, paint or modeling dough. We tell the child that it is yucky and is not for eating. If a child is told abruptly NO they will be afraid of creating with these materials.
Q: Should I tell my child only to use brushes at the easel?
A: Children should feel free to explore. Exploration means just that, painting with one brush, two brushes, fingers, palms, bristle side up, end of brush for scratching and scraping etc.
Q: Should I draw shapes and pictures for my child to copy so he or she can learn to draw them?
A: A young child is just developing fine motor skills. The scribbling stage and controlled scribbles stage will last for a while. Don’t expect your child to draw triangles, rectangles and squares. Suggesting this by drawing them on your child’s paper will only cause them frustration in the fact that they can not complete the task. Children want to please their parents. Praise them for their explorations.
Q: Sometimes my child enjoys mixing paint instead of painting, what should I do?
A: Mixing paint is a wonderful opportunity to learn. Amazing things happen when colors are combined together. If you don’t go home with a painting one day, your child will still have had an amazing learning experience.
Q: Should I try to limit the amount of glue my child uses on a project?
A: In our classes we introduce glue at age 2 1/2. At this age the children have had some pre-pasting experience and have an understanding of the what sticky is. Glue should not be limited. Different amounts of glue can help children learn amazing things. A child can learn that if they put too little glue their material does not stick. If they put too much glue their material slides off the paper. Many children like to squeeze glue on top of already glued items. The glue temporarily covers the item and hides it and then slowly moves to the side. The item slowly begins to reappear, this is fascinating for children. Don’t worry you child will discover on his/her own how much glue to use. Allow them enjoy the learning process
Q: Why does my child get mad when I draw or paint on his paper?
A: This is your child’s art and expression of him/herself. Their art gives them a great sense of pride and they want it to be their very own! Honor this and let your child’s creativity flow.
Q: My child seems to paint and draw with both right and left hands. When will my child choose a hand to use? Should I suggest that my child chooses a particular hand?
A: Don’t force a child into a left or right hand choice. Some children can be as old a 7 years before they choose which hand is of choice. However most children do usually show a preference much earlier in the pre-school years.
Q: My child seems to paint only on the right side of his paper in class, should I encourage him to fill the page?
A: Children will paint on different areas of the paper. Studies have shown that this is part of brain development. If we suggest that they fill blank areas of their page we are disrupting their process. When they are done with their masterpiece you will know. Then you can provide a new piece of paper on which they can paint. By age 3 children begin to fill their entire page with paint.
Q: How can I be helpful to my child during class and at home when we are doing art?
A: Let them have freedom with the materials. Make sure not to provide set answers. Talk with them about the colors they have used, the textures, brush strokes. Encourage them to talk about their work. Always be sure not to ask “what is it? Instead ask them to tell you about their art. Focus your attention to them during their learning explorations.
Q: What is the best way to help my child feel proud of his or her accomplishments?
A: Hang up their art work on a regular basis. Put it in Frames. It is always best to hang it at their eye level so they can enjoy looking at their accomplishments. Look at it together and talk about it. Your interest is more important than the words “Good Job”
Q: How old should my child be to start gluing?
A: A child is ready for glue once he/she has an understanding of what sticky is. A child should be comfortable with removing stickers from their backings and applying them to paper quite comfortably before gluing.
Q: How old should my child be to start cutting?
A: In our classes we provide plastic scissors to use with playdough in the earlier age group of 18 months. I feel it is important for children to be familiar with the tool. I do not provide any instruction on cutting until 2 ½. This is the age when I introduce children to cutting with metal edged child scissors. Each child is worked with individually to safely help them at each stage of cutting from fringing and beyond.
Q: What size paper is best to use for projects at home?
A: In class we use 12 x18 paper. I do not recommend small paper. Children need full range of motion with their arms. The larger paper the better. Small paper is too constricting.
Q: My child only spends about a few minutes drawing and then looses interest should I be concerned?
A: Young children have limited atttention spans. Our classes are desinged to build your childs attention span which will happen over time. In class each child works at his/her own pace. Some children may spend longer painting then drawing. Evey child is an individually creative person and they are nutured each step of the way.
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