Two of my favorite classes that I teach at the Basement Community Art Studio are Messy Baby Art and our Messy Masterpieces Art. Both classes are based on sensory exploration of art materials. Our Messy Baby Art class is for caregivers with infants who are sitting up through around 2 years old. For this class we spread large pieces of paper on the floor, move all the furniture out of the way and let the babies explore nontoxic children's paint with their whole bodies!
Our messy Masterpieces art class is geared to the slightly older child, 2 1/2 to roughly age 5 years. In this class we begin working at the tables instead of the floor. We also add a few more materials to our explorations at this level.
Both classes are a ton of fun and both encourage sensory exploration of the art materials. We do not focus on a finished product during these classes, though sometimes the work they create is something parents wish to keep!
Why Sensory Art?
Child development experts agree that young children learn best when their play appeals to their senses. When children engage their senses during play, they build powerful cognitive connections. They begin to learn about the world around themselves. Young children and infants uses all of their senses to take in stimuli from the world. When they are provided with an environment rich in sensory experiences they are able to make more of these types of connections. Being able to explore this way stimulates movement from the child and strengthens their motor skills and coordination as well.
As the child plays you can add language to their experience. Give the proper names of the tools they are using. As they reach for a tool, name it. "Sponge." or "Feather." You can also name the colors they are using. Simply say "Blue." when they use blue paint... Keeping the language short and clear allows them to begin to make associations between the language and the object. It is much clearer than saying something like, "Yes, you found the blue paint. Can you use the feather to paint blue on the paper."
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| Hair Curler, Clothes pin with feather, Sponge, Plastic cut out shape |
During our sensory art classes we like to offer a variety of tools for the child to explore. Basic everyday household objects make great painting tools! Here in the studio we use items like the ones pictured above. Other ideas include:
- Wooden spools
- Toilet Paper tubes
- Bits of Yarn
- Corks
- Sticks
- Pine cone
- Food (potato, celery, apple) all make fun prints
Look around your home and find items with an interesting texture that are safe for the child to explore. Try to offer them a variety of different shapes and textures to explore during their art play. Be sure to use child safe, non toxic art materials. Using a variety of tools offers the child multiple sensory stimuli, plus it provides opportunity for further language acquisition when you name the tools as we discussed above.
There are wonderful art products out there for young children that you can purchase through stores or online if you wish, but you don't have to spend a ton of money. You can find some amazing DIY art supply recipes for tiny artists online. From craft dough to edible paints and more, the internet is filled with great ideas you can make at home with common ingredients found in most kitchens! Have fun exploring and setting up your child's sensory art projects (This can be a great creative outlet for you too)!
There are wonderful art products out there for young children that you can purchase through stores or online if you wish, but you don't have to spend a ton of money. You can find some amazing DIY art supply recipes for tiny artists online. From craft dough to edible paints and more, the internet is filled with great ideas you can make at home with common ingredients found in most kitchens! Have fun exploring and setting up your child's sensory art projects (This can be a great creative outlet for you too)!
Where to create?
Provide your child with a variety of ways to explore the art materials as well. Once the child can stand consider painting at an easel. If you don"t have an easel you can tape paper to a wall at their height. You may want to use a drop cloth or larger paper behind the paper they are painting to contain the mess and make clean up a bit easier.
If your child is not yet standing simply spread out paper on the floor for them to paint on. Remember older children also enjoy working on the floor from time to time as well! Working on the floor can give them the opportunity to work much larger, using large motor movements which can be a nice change for older children.
If you are concerned about the inevitable mess consider working outside on a nice day or use an old sheet/drop cloth on the floor under their work. When the art time is over simply fold away the drop cloth and store it for next time! Another fun place to create art is in the bath tub. When art time is over just clean the baby and the mess up at the same time.
Tables are always a great place to explore art materials, but try to provide variety for your child with their art play. If you usually paint at the table, consider trying a new spot. Often as children get older, most of their art is done at a table. This limits the size of their art as well as the motor movements they use to create their art. An occasional change in location is always exciting and keeps their art experience fresh and new!
Prepare for a mess
Sensory exploration in art is often very messy, so be prepared. At the studio we recommend letting our youngest artists paint in their diapers or an old onsie. Older toddlers and children we recommend wearing old clothes paired with an art smock or apron. Most children's art supplies are considered "washable" however, I have noticed that they do not always wash completely out. So, it is best to dress in clothing you are not too worried about. Adults facilitating messy art should also dress in clothing that can get painted...because it very likely will, lol.
Most importantly have fun and embrace the mess!
I would love to hear your thoughts on sensory art feel free to leave a comment below.
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