The Benefits of Process Art with Children
Art is not always about the end result. In many cases, especially with children, it is about the process.
Process art is simply about the experience of making art. It is an individual experience not focused on having each artwork look identical to the example shown or a specific end result. Making art in this way, focusing on the process first, allows children the freedom to explore their own creativity and to focus on skills that they are ready to develop. Every child develops at their own individual rate and explores various skills at different times depending on their style of growth and development. There is no right or wrong with this. It’s all about the journey of making art and experimenting with materials provided. This process nourishes creativity and helps to provide a safe learning space to learn, and grow. Longterm, this really helps to build the confidence needed to be curious, learn how to experiment and do independent investigation and play.
Recycled Tree Project for Earth Day
Process art builds many different skills and helps children to learn about the world around them.
Improves fine motor skills - art processes like painting, drawing, glueing, and manipulating paper help to strengthen muscles and improve ability to manipulate small objects.
Develops creativity - process art allows freedom to manipulate objects, experiment with a variety of materials, and make innovative choices which nurtures creativity.
Develops decision making skills - when there is no right or wrong way to do something and the end result is individual, it allows for children to make their own choices and choose which steps or process to execute first.
Builds confidence - when children are able to make their own choices it helps to build their confidence and they learn to be proud of their decisions and ultimately proud of themselves.
Engages play - with the opportunity to experiment with materials children are able to be playful in various ways which stimulates their imagination.
Develops literary skills - children talk and observe while making art which develops new concepts and allows space to express themselves.
Processes emotions and feelings - process art can help to work through emotions and feelings as children choose materials and colors and are able to talk about why.
Processes learning and environment - process art is a way for children to express their surroundings and environment.
One of my favorite aspects of making process art with children, or watching them make art, is hearing the conversation that they have while creating and observing their creativity and individuality.
I recently provided the materials to make a tree out of recycled materials and paint for a class with children aged three to six. Most of the younger kids were immersed in discovery of materials. A few talked about the tree that they were creating but this group was really excited about the paint stamping with bubble wrap. The older kids talked a lot about placement of branches and started to also paint in grass. They made up stories about the seasons and what type of tree they were making. They talked about leaf placement depending on the season that they were portraying. They discussed the shapes and sizes and why they chose these elements. Every single child worked on fine motor skills, creativity, confidence, decision making, and literary skills. Some talked about the feelings of their tree and the environmental aspects as well.
The end result was twenty-three individual trees, all with proud creative owners. All of the trees were different with different stories. This is the beauty of process art.
Process art created by 3-6 year olds
Supplies needed for Recycled Tree Project
Cardstock paper - we used light blue.
Recycled materials - we used cardboard, packing paper, magazines, and bubble wrap.
Clothespin - used to make a bubble wrap stamping/brush tool.
Tempra paint - we love Colorations Simply Washable Tempra.
School glue - we recommend 1.25 oz bottles because the smaller bottles makes it easier to use.
Glue stick - we love Elmer’s washable purple disappearing adhesive.
Paint palette - we used a paper plate.
Instructions for Recycled Tree Project
Cut out a tree truck from cardboard and pull off one side of the paper to expose the corrugated part of the cardboard
Cut leaf shapes out of magazine paper
Cut of rip strips of packing paper
Use school glue to glue cardboard tree trunk on cardstock paper
Use a glue stick to glue on packing paper strips as branches
Use a glue stick to glue on magazine leaves
Cut a small strip of bubble wrap and use a clothespin to hold the ends, which makes a bubble wrap stamping or paint brush
Put a small amount of paint on your palette (we used a paper plate and two shades of green paint)
Use your bubble wrap stamping tool to stamp green paint leaves on your tree
Some of these links may be affiliate links. Blick Art Supply and Discount School Supply are my favorite places to buy quality affordable materials. I get tempra paints from Discount School Supply.
