What do 4-5 year old children like to learn about in Art class?

Question

Any lesson ideas would be helpfull.

Answer 1

For Art Class in these ages, the kids mainly enjoy experimenting with colors. Hence, they really enjoy painting, whether free hand painting or using a template that the teacher has made.  If it's free hand, they enjoy using a variety of colors, and mixing them as well. Try to give only primary paints first (red, yellow, blue) and watch them enjoy making new secondary colors on their paper. Best to give large pieces of paper using an easel board, if thats not availabe you can tape the paper on a long stretch of wall. Just be ready to clean the wall afterwards.

Playdough is another fun activity they enjoy.  You can use tools too like rolling pins, plastic child-friendly scissors for cutting, plastic toy knives, etc. Also, why not make the playdough with them? They love making it and making their own colors for the playdough.  Here is a website for playdough recipes: http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/art/playd...

Also, the art project would be more meaningful to them if they can identify with a story. For example, make butterfly toys fly made out of tissue roll or egg cartons and crepe paper. Base it on a story like The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

By the way, "Little Blue Litte Yellow" by Leo Leonni is a nice story which teaches about colors and what happens when you combine them.

Answer 2

I had them use different colors of sharpie markers and they drew their own picture on a floor tile. Tiles were about 19 cents each at Home Depot. It'll help with their fine motor skills. Also, (particularly the girls), like using stencils, stickers, and sequence to paste on paper. I have also used white crayon and had the children draw a picture and then paint for a "magic" effect.

You can use different shape sponges (I cut out the shapes) and they can sponge paint.

Otherwise, get a huge cardboard box and have all the children paint it to make a house.

Answer 3

My elementary doesn't have an art class for kindergartners, so over the year's I've done a lot of drawing (with markers, crayons, and colored pencils), painting (they love using their fingers!), and sculpting (home-made playdough and clay). If all else fails, coloring pages keep them very occupied. Basically, crafts at that age stress following directions, so don't be afraid to do intracate projects (just split up the directions in parts!) Here are some of my favorite craft sites for kids....

http://www.preschooleducation.com/art.sh...

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/...

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/crafts....

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/art_stat...

Good luck!

Answer 4

How about heraldry? Have them draw a "family crest" You can start with a pre-shaped shield and either have tons of your basic clip art to paste on it, different family motto's, helmets, swords, banners, stuff like that. This not only teaches rudimentary drawing and pasting, but, also teaches family history. There are tons to show as examples, and you can make one of your own to show the kiddies how neat they can look. Great with construction paper and scissors!

Answer 5

For working with clay, pick a theme that has no preconceived ideas associated with it, such as "holder for dead toothbrushes." That way, the wackier the better, and no one's work can be adversely compared with anyone else's.

Answer 6

Art is all about expressing yourself and not having to follow a model. yes it is fine to follow a model once you get to be older and want to, but it is all about being free to do what you want to do.

I suggest having open ended art activities for children this age. Put out a bunch of collage materials, scissors, glue, glitter, beads, etc and let them go for it.

Clay and playdough with all kinds of cutters are fun too.

What is really fun is a mix of salt or sugar mixed in with starch or water and paint with it. It leaves it with a really cool texture.

paints of all kinds in different containers like spray bottles, squeeze bottles, etc.

paper mache' activities are fun too.

Answer 7

Painting and clay. Makes a huge mess though.

Instructionally, probably cartoon art.

Answer 8

Four to five year old children like to work with their hands. Try clay, or painting. If normal clay is too messy, try air drying clay.

Answer 9

Children at this age, are just learning how to hold a writing utensil, they are happy with markers, crayons, clay, playdough also try washable tempera paint, construction paper and put it on an easel etc.  Children at this age should be just trying to increase their fine motors, at this age that is what a three/four year old would be doing that is developmentally appropriate.