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Hi John,
Art classes for preschoolers often focus on coloring inside the lines, but open-ended art activities for preschoolers can help them learn about problem solving, experimentation, exploration, self-motivation and so much more.
Imagine this:
You just spent your morning finding a great project, scouring the cupboards for supplies, getting everything set up, and putting together an art lesson that’s sure to engage your child for the next half hour…. Only for them to spend 5 minutes at the art table before walking away 🤦♀️
Does this sound familiar?
It can feel so disappointing and maybe even discourages you from wanting to try again. Instead of throwing in the towel, try an open-ended art activity that encourages more time spent making, inventing, and exploring.
Enter stage right: Open-ended art activities for preschoolers!
Open-ended projects naturally encourage children to spend more time experimenting, engaging, and exploring without the pressure of creating a picture-perfect craft.
When there’s no specific end goal to achieve, they’ll push their thinking and expand on their ideas.
With open ended art, the end result is unique to the child, there are countless outcomes, each creation is a masterpiece, young children are engaged with problem-solving, creativity will bloom.
Not only that, you spend less time setting it up while your child is naturally engaged and self-motivated to create.
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How do you plan an open-ended activity?
Focus on play: Approach art and maker time from a play-based mindset. When children are having fun, trying new things, and exploring their materials, they’ll want to stay at the table longer.
Follow their Curiosities: Children are naturally curious creatures, so finding activities that inspire their curiosity instills the intrinsic motivation that keeps that making and creating for hours. Not sure what they’re curious about? Spend a few days jotting down what you notice them noticing. Maybe they’re really into bugs, rocks, or the ocean. Then, find ideas based on those interests.
Why it is important to provide children with open-ended art experiences that focus on process vs the product.
Open-ended art experiences encourage iterations. By encouraging children to make multiple versions, we empower them to create more freely and spend more time exploring different ways to use the same materials.
There are hundreds of ways to set up open ended art activities for preschoolers.
What's an example of an open-ended art activity?
Click here for eight open-ended art projects plus more tips to help you get started with open-ended art making.
Warmly,
Rachelle
TinkerLab Founder
p.s. We're opening the doors to TinkerLab Schoolhouse, the open-ended art membership for kids, at the end of this month. Join the waitlist and stay tuned for more!
p.p.s. If you find this information useful, share this email with a friend!
p.p.s. Follow me on Instagram for more inspiring ways to support childhood creativity.
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