Art is a form of creative expression that allows children to explore their imagination, emotions, and identity.

Art can help children to develop various skills, such as fine motor, cognitive, language, and social skills.

Art can foster creativity in children by providing them with opportunities to experiment with different materials, techniques, and ideas, and to express themselves in unique and original ways.

Art can enhance children’s learning and motivation by making it more fun, engaging, and meaningful.

Art can promote children’s cultural awareness and appreciation by exposing them to diverse forms of art and artists.

0-2 years: Provide children with sensory materials, such as playdough, finger paint, or sand, that they can manipulate and explore with their hands. Encourage them to make marks, shapes, and patterns with the materials. Praise their efforts and ask them questions about their creations.

2-3 years: Provide children with simple tools, such as brushes, stamps, or sponges, that they can use to apply paint or ink on paper or other surfaces. Encourage them to experiment with different colors, textures, and effects. Display their artworks and ask them to talk about what they made and how they made it.

3-5 years: Provide children with a variety of materials, such as paper, fabric, cardboard, or recyclables, that they can cut, glue, or assemble to make collage or sculpture. Encourage them to use their imagination and creativity to make something new or different. Ask them to tell a story about their artworks and what they represent.

6-8 years: Provide children with access to digital technologies, such as tablets, computers, or cameras, that they can use to create digital art, such as photography, animation, or video. Encourage them to use the features and functions of the technologies to enhance their artworks. Ask them to share their artworks with others and explain their process and purpose.

Demonstration: Teaching how to do something step by step. Introduces new skills, techniques, or concepts.

Whole group instruction: Teaching the whole class as one group. Provides overview, background, or context.

Small group instruction: Teaching a small group of students. Addresses specific needs, interests, or levels.

Choice-based: Giving students choices to respond to their own ideas and interests. Fosters autonomy, motivation, and creativity.

Comprehensive arts education: Drawing content from four art disciplines: art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics. Helps students understand and appreciate art.

Constructivism: Learning by experience and play. Encourages students to learn how to learn, and to explore and experiment.

Design thinking: Solving problems or creating products by using ingenuity and understanding. Helps students develop creative thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Historical and contemporary connections: Using art history and contemporary art as sources for art making and learning. Helps students relate art to their own lives, cultures, and times.