You really can never start too soon to actively introduce art concepts to your kids. Before you run away to break out your set of Old Masters flash cards, think about some of the things you’re already doing with your baby/toddler, and slowly work up from there.
1. Bath tub crayons- Perfect for introducing colors to your child, as well as the idea of patterns and shapes. When they’re very young you can do all the work while you’re telling them what you’re drawing. As they get older, they can copy what you draw or go off on a mad fit of bathroom tile art all on their own.
bathtub crayon
2. Ink pads or small blobs of paint in red, orange, yellow, green, blue- one color on each finger and press down next to each other on paper. They get to feel the colors and have the satisfaction of their little fingers making something pretty!
3. Blocks. If you have different colored blocks, you can start working with your wee one on patterns and color grouping. They probably won’t get it right away, but it’s one more step toward introducing these concepts. One day they’ll be designing giant skyscrapers.
Dado Cubes at Fat Brain Toys
4. Watching you draw. You can grab a pencil and paper or an Etch-a-Sketch and start drawing things like balls and trains and animals. Your child will observe you making marks on a surface, and they’ll love to guess what you’ve drawn. They will probably start to ask you to draw things they’ve seen you draw, and this eventually leads to you showing them how to copy your drawings.
5. Make a nest (pinch bowl) full of eggs (tiny balls) and snakes (rolled coils) out of playdough. They will get used to the basic shapes used in hand building with ceramics. Playdough is the quintessential first experience with sculpting and young kids are enthralled with it.
6. Come to think of it, art flash cards aren’t such a bad idea. You probably already play music for your baby or toddler, so why not expose them to high-quality visual art? Wonderfully illustrated children’s books are a good start, but also show them artwork at museums, art books, and even photos of art online.
Wee Gallery Art Cards
The Art Show DVD
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What a great idea for a site!!! As someone who has always done art with kids and values it greatly, I’m really glad I found this:)
Nicole DeZarn recently posted…A job well done=allowance?
Hi, and thank you so much for stopping by and the really nice compliment!
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Great Options for Kids’ Art Room Floors
Are you using the same internet as I am? I don’t know how you find such cool things! Especially love the dado cubes and b&w cards!
Ann recently posted…My Life in Flags
Gosh, makes me want a toddler again so I can do all this with them. That’s not gonna happen …. will have to wait for grandkids!
twisterfish recently posted…a breath of fresh air
I just troll the internet 24 hours a day, looking for thangs. It’s sort of my thing. Aren’t those cubes cool?
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…10 Great Interactive Creative Books
Wow. That’s thinking ahead!
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Are there S’mores at Art Camp?
love this list girl! we have something similar to #2 we have #4 and way have way too many legos! damian is a master at colors and patterns. the art cards are just fab. i love them!
vanita recently posted…Trapped
I’m waiting for the day when our house is covered in legos. Can’t be too long now…. I love the art cards, too.
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Glue Block Prints
I do love those blocks. I am putting a list together of best blocks and I am swiping your idea. I hope you don’t mind!
PragmaticMom recently posted…How To: Teach Kids to Read Independently