In our art programs for toddlers and preschoolers, we focus on process- based art activities. This means that the child is free to explore and make observations about the art activity without direction towards a final finished product. As parents, we frequently want to "help"our child make the project "correctly." Especially during holidays, we want to have cute crafty projects created by our children to pull out in later years. However, this can inhibit the child's creativity. Prominent art educator and writer MaryAnn Kohl says the following:

“Art is a creative process, not a pre-planned product. Picture the difference. A child is given cotton balls, glue, scraps of paper, and a paper plate. These materials will become part of a creative experiment for a child, as they manipulate and explore the possibilities. There is no planned design or product. However, if someone were to require the child to make a bunny on the paper plate from a pre-designed bunny that is shown to the child as the example to follow, all creativity is lost and the project becomes a craft.”

Here's an article with more on this topic

The kids in the Discovery Tree Art & Story class enjoyed some great activities and art projects this summer. Here’s one quick and easy art idea you can do at home.

Ocean Wave Bottle: Toddlers, preschoolers, and even older kids will love making this wave bottle. They will enjoy making the blue waves rock gently back and forth.

You need: an empty plastic water bottle with lid, oil, water, liquid blue food coloring, and superglue (optional, to keep child from opening the bottle).

Fill the bottle about half full of water, then add oil to the top. We used vegetable oil, you could also use baby oil. Let your child drop in some blue food coloring- at least 5 or 6 drops. Be sure to watch as the blue drops slowly drift through the oil. Put a small amount of superglue around the rim, and tightly fasten the cap. Let your child shake the bottle gently to disperse the coloring.

The clear oil will create a layer on top of the blue water and will create waves when gently rocked. If the bottle is shaken vigorously the oil and water will temporarily combine, but will separate again.