Description
Book SynopsisLearn how to set up an organized and inviting home art space for kids and keep them engaged with over 55 art prompts that encourage skill-building and creative exploration. With an inviting, open setup of art supplies, kids can easily access tools and materials to work through ideas, tinker, discover, solve problems, learn techniques, and create anything they can imagine. Your art space becomes a creative workshop that allows children the opportunity to
explore open-ended materials with a sense of independence, confidence, and responsibility.
In
The Art Playroom, author Megan Schiller—a Reggio-inspired preschool teacher, art studio owner, and interior designer—
guides you step by step through the process of creating an art space for your children and shares her simple approach to encourage creative exploration for years to come.
This book is for parents and caregivers of
children ages 2–10, with ti
Table of ContentsTable of Contents Preface Part 1: The Art Space Chapter 1: Why an Open Art Studio?
- Introduction
- What Skills Do Kids Learn from Open-Ended Art?
- The Influence of Art Over the Years (by Barbara Rucci)
- Design Matters
Chapter 2: Setting up Your Open Art Studio
- What Materials and Tools Should be in an open art studio?
- Your Art Space is Not Just for Art
- Using an Art Space for Tinkering and Inventing (By Rachelle Doorley)
- Adding Tinkering and Maker Materials into Your Art Space
- Choosing a Location (By Jean Van’t Hul)
- Furniture, Storage, and Tips on Organizing Art Supplies for Different Ages
- Art Storage and Display
- Adding the Art Supplies
Chapter 3: Your Open Art Studio is Ready to Go, Now What?
- Keeping Materials Visible and Fresh
- Introducing Your Child to the Materials
- Testing New Materials
- Questions to Ask Your Child When Testing Different Materials
Part 2: Invitations to Create Chapter 4: Keeping Your Child Engaged Over Time with Invitations to Create
- What are Invitations to Create?
- 10 tips on setting up an Invitation to Create
Chapter 5: Starter Invitations to Create: Easy art prompts for ages 2-7 that are quick to set up and easy for young children to explore on their own.
- Monochromatic Shape
- Playdough Sculpture
- Foil Painting
- Craft Tape Construction
- Magazine Collage
- Peekaboo Drawing
- X Marks the Spot
- Confetti
- Rock Painting
- Sticky Collage
- Dot Painting
- Dreamy Decoupage
- Grid Drawing
- Curious Assemblage
- Scrape and Roll Painting
- Fine Feathered Fabrication
- Produce Prints
- Current Obsession
- DIY Stickers
- Sticky Block Building
- DIY Old Fashioned Tempera Paint
- Misplaced Mural
- Wet Chalk Drawing
- You’ve Got Mail
- Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
-
“Do it together” Starter Invitations to Create: Art prompts that introduce a new material or technique that act as a simple art lesson when done with an adult
- Oil Pastels & Oil
- Current Obsession Still Life
- Color Mixing
Chapter 6: Skill-building Invitations to Create: Art prompts to develop skills for ages 2-10
-
Mastering Tools (Ages 3-8): Art prompts that encourage the use of creative tools
- First Scissor Practice
- Early Learning Scissor Practice
- Intermediate Scissor Practice
- Stapler
- Hole Puncher
- Glue Gun
- Hammer
-
Fine motor and Focus (Ages 2-6): Art prompts that help children develop fine motor and focusing skills.
- Beading Pipe Cleaners
- Delicate Droppers
- Twisting from the Toolbox
- Do-Dad Mandala
- Fuse Beads
- Simple Sewing Skills
- Labyrinth Pointillism
-
Self-Sufficiency (Ages 2-6. Age 2 with adult supervision) Art prompts that guide children towards independent use of everyday items.
- Slicing Practice
- Kitchen Tools
- Squeezing Practice
- Pouring Practice
- Spraying and Scrubbing Practice
- Art Cleanup
-
Writing (Ages 3-8): Art prompts that build writing skills through playful activities.
- Alphabet Stencil
- Block Letter Dots
- Alphabet Stickers
- May I take Your Order?
- Name Tracing
- Greeting Card
- Book Making
- Comic Strip
-
Collaboration (Ages 2-10. 2 years with adult supervision): Art prompts that encourage collaboration between siblings or friends through group projects.
- Shared Sticky Collage
- Tape Resist Canvas
- Collaborative Coloring
- Shared Sticky Block Building
- Shared Street Construction
- Cooperative Garland
-
Science and Investigation (Ages 3-10): Art prompts that demonstrate the intersection of art and science through reactive ingredients, testing ideas, and exploring how things work.
- Eye-Catching Eruption
- Colorful Dripping Cream
- Swirling Separation
- Nature Still Life
- DIY Nature Paint
- Magnetic Sculpture
-
Making Toys and Accessories (Ages 4-10): Art prompts that introduce ways to make toys or accessories that can be played with when finished.
- Modeling Clay Creatures
- Mini Bed
- Habitat
- DIY Instrument
- Dancing Paper Dolls
- Sticky Sticks
- DIY Magnet Puzzle
Conclusion
- Having a Designated Art Space in Our Home (by Meri Cherry)
- Final Thoughts
- Resources
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
