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Arts and
crafts activities are an important part of the preschool
program and are integrated into all other curriculum areas. Children
draw pictures about stories they have heard, decorate  their addition
fact papers, prepare and paint continent maps or make their own geometric
solids from construction paper.
Work with practical life and sensorial materials prepare children for
creative expression with art materials. Practical life activities
develop a sense of order and fine motor dexterity, as well as providing
an opportunity to develop concentration and focus. With the sensorial
materials children explore shape, color and visual relationships.
The
teachers prepare the environment to offer numerous opportunities
for creative expression. Art materials are available every day, during
work time and free choice periods. Crayons, marking pens, chalk, paint,
paper, yarn, glue, tape, scissors and other materials are accessible to
the children. Art activities, such as painting with watercolors, are
introduced to children with a presentation similar to that of practical
life activities. Teachers show children how to carry out the painting
project from beginning to end. The process is emphasized as children
watch and learn how to set up the materials, where to get the water,
how to dip the brush and change colors, etc.
The steps involved in painting are isolated and presented clearly to
the child. After an initial presentation by the teacher children are
free to work independently with the watercolors. As with other
practical life activities the teacher's job is to introduce new
materials, offer the child the opportunity to work confidently and
successfully, and also nurture the child's creative instincts.
As well as working independently with art materials, children are also
invited daily to work in small groups with a teacher directed art
project. Teachers select activities that help children develop
skills such as cutting, coloring, pasting, paper folding etc.
Teachers monitor the skill levels of children and increase the
complexity of projects for children whose skills are advanced.
As in other curriculum areas children work at their own pace.
Some art activities are designed for older children, while others
are more appropriate for three-year olds.
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