Young students will enjoy using paints and brushes.
It's never too early to teach kids art. Instructing them in the arts can imbue them with lifelong aesthetic appreciation, help them tolerate arduous trips to museums with parents, and maybe even unearth the next Picasso-in-waiting. Primary schools can hold art workshops that start with the basics and move on from there.
What Is Art?
A good introductory workshop is based on the theme "What Is Art?" If they are primary school students, the workshop shouldn't, of course, be too technical, but you can introduce the idea of art as a concept by asking students to "brainstorm" and then showing examples of major art forms: theater, music, dance and visual art. Separate students into groups and have them present their own limited example of each type. Develop a definition for each of the art forms and instruct about how you might determine whether a particular item is art.
Styrofoam Plate Making
This hands-on activity will teach kids basic painting skills and working with materials, and familiarize them with colors. Purchase large Styrofoam plates and cut off the rims so you're left with the flat, round part. Distribute plates to the children and instruct them to draw, with pencil, a design of their choice on the plate. Teach some sample designs; for example, geometric patterns or simple landscapes. Use tempera paint and an inexpensive foam brush to brush on a color, covering the whole printing area. Place a piece of paper on top, rub gently with your fingertips and remove, creating a print on the paper. This multi-material workshop also teaches kids proper cleanup skills, important for elementary art instruction.
Secondary Colors
This workshop introduces young learners to colors and mix them. Squirt a bit of shaving cream on each child's desk or work area. Indulge their tactile curiosity by letting them become familiar with the feel of the shaving cream. Then add three primary colors (red, yellow and blue) to the shaving cream. Instruct the students to mix the colored shaving cream to form new colors. Use the workshop as an opportunity to explain the difference between primary and secondary colors.
Draw Like an Egyptian
Combine ancient history and art instruction in this fun drawing workshop. Give the students an overview of ancient Egypt, including its figures and icons, such as the pharaohs, the pyramids and mummies. Distribute "sideways-walking" Egyptian figures to students and instruct the students to trace in black marker an outline of each figure. Decorate the drawing by sponging gold and ochre paint onto the drawing, without completely covering the lines. Teach them to paint in areas with watercolor, and narrate or paste on the back an accompanying story for the ancient Egyptian person in the drawing/painting.
