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Unlocking Creativity and Learning through Project-Based Art

Unlocking Creativity and Learning through Project-Based Art

For young children, for whom so much knowledge is new and exciting and so many physical and mental skills have to be acquired, the need for exploration, experimentation, and play is even more important. That is a quote from one of my favorite Author and early years consultant Margaret Edgington

An important development occurs when children deliberately use and combine materials to create something they have seen or imagined. Project-based art is one of the strategies to help children achieve their learning journey.

Art projects aren’t just about decorating cut-out shapes or coloring within the lines. When facilitated thoughtfully, the process of creating art builds critical developmental skills in young children. 

This technique is called Negative Frottage. The children start with placing objects or materials with interesting shapes or forms on the canvas. Paint or drawing material is applied to the canvas/paper surface around and in between the objects. The objects are removed, leaving their contoured imprint behind as empty spaces with defined edges. The children then uses these negative space shapes as part of the imagery or composition.
This technique is called Negative Space Frottage. The children start with placing objects or materials with interesting shapes or forms on the canvas. Paint or drawing material is applied to the canvas/paper surface around and in between the objects.
Nurturing art means nurturing brains, hearts—and whole humans. More than painting skills or perfect shading, my students develop passion, responsibility, vision. And my job becomes less about instruction as the students flourish before my eyes. (2018)
Nurturing art means nurturing brains, hearts—and whole humans. More than painting skills or perfect shading, my students develop passion, responsibility, vision. And my job becomes less about instruction as the students flourish before my eyes. (2018)

What is Project-based Art

As I am passionate about holistic approaches to learning, over the years I have very much enjoyed implementing project-based art in my early-year teachings. And I am here to share some of my experiences with you.

Exploring with Salt-dough
In this photo, my students and I are exploring salt dough - a fundamental art medium for teaching young children. The versatility of this simple yet enriching dough makes it an ideal starting point for nurturing artistic expression and fine motor skills development in early art education. (2019)

A project-based art in early learning development refers to art activities or projects that are designed to promote learning and development in young children over a course of time.

The interesting part is that you incorporate curriculums like Reggio Emilia into it. My daughter has been doing project-based art since she was six months old.

The open-ended nature of art projects allows children to naturally direct the experience based on their developing interests and abilities

My inquisitive 3-year-old daughter, who attended the same early learning center where I taught, loved art exploration. In this photo, my young students/ daughter and I are joyfully experimenting with mixing paint colors. As an early childhood teacher, I believe hands-on creative play allows children to make exciting discoveries.

This approach is centered around the process of creating art, rather than the end product. The focus is on the experience, exploration, and experimentation with art materials.

What are the Benefits of Project-based Art?

Projects encourage creativity, self-expression, and problem-solving as children figure out how to use materials and try out their own ideas.

They incorporate open-ended art activities that allow children to work at their own level and ability. This includes activities like painting, drawing, sculpting with clay, and exploring other sensory materials.

Projects are designed to help children develop skills across domains including fine motor skills, cognitive skills, language/literacy, social-emotional skills, and general knowledge.

Collaborative rice canvas art.
In this photo, my young students are working with colored rice. Each child makes a distinctive mark on their collaborative canvas project. (2017)
In this photo, my young students are working with colored rice. Each child makes a distinctive mark on their collaborative canvas project. (2017)
By encouraging open-ended art exploration we can help children create beautiful art work.
By encouraging open-ended art exploration we can help children create beautiful art work.

Teachers/caregivers guide the process and facilitate learning, but allow children to take the lead and direct the experience based on their interests.

art project
In this photo, I was guiding an under-the-sea collaborative art canvas. Kids get ideas easily from books, music, and the interaction with the world around them.

Projects can be individual or collaborative, last for a single session or be expanded over days/weeks as the child pursues an idea. Documentation panels can capture the process.

This Under The Sea collaborative canvas work was done by 2 year old's, on wooden triangle canvas with acrylic paint (2017).
This Under The Sea collaborative canvas work was done by a class of 2 year old's, on a wooden triangle canvas with acrylic paint (2017).

Setting the Stage for Art Exploration

How do we help facilitate a project-based art?

The key is to start with designating an art area for open-ended exploration daily. Include a variety of tools and materials including paint, clay, collage scraps, markers, glue, tape, scissors, etc.

      Introduce children to 2-3 media/tools at a time. Demonstrate possibilities without prescribing outcomes to spark intrinsic motivation.

       Observe each child’s developing approach. Ask open-ended questions, make thought-provoking suggestions, and encourage persistence.

In this photo, I was introducing mixed media materials that can go on canvases.

      Document the process with photos, videos, written observations, and children’s own artwork. These will anchor reflective discussions.

      Keep finished pieces for a class exhibit or student portfolio highlighting the depth of learning. Display the documentation to showcase the process.

3D mixed media wood canvas is done by 4-year-old kindergarteners back in 2019. The art piece was named City Nights by my students.
3D mixed media wood canvas was done by my 4-year-old kindergarteners back in 2019. The art piece was named City Nights by my students.

       Return to the project over days or weeks as desired, expanding on emergent themes. Projects can spark related inquiries across subject areas.

     Support children’s role as peer mentors by encouraging collaboration and meaning-making together.

Growing artists develop both in and out of the classroom through nurturing their innate creativity.
Growing artists develop both in and out of the classroom through nurturing their innate creativity.

By facilitating project-based art explorations, we empower children to drive their own creative growth while developing skills critical for the 21st century. The journey is as meaningful as the destination!

Where To Draw Inspiration?

Active learning curriculums

I have always used The Reggio approach to provide access to a wide variety of materials for inquiry and expression and used open-ended art spaces to allow mix media.

Reggio learning is centered around long-term, collaborative investigations. Likewise, art projects can expand over days, weeks, and months as a child pursues an idea.

The Reggio model, projects emerge from the interests and initiatives of each child. Similarly, art projects allow children to actively construct their own learning.

The fulfillment emerges not just from the finished product but from observing the whole journey unfold.
The fulfillment emerges not just from the finished product but from observing the whole journey unfold. (21017)
This project driven by children's interests has gone through the introduction, planning, experimentation, exploring, and implementing stages.
As they began working on landscape paintings, the children recalled images of what they had just seen outside
This project driven by children's interests has gone through the introduction, planning, Experimentation, exploring, and implementing stages.
After a nature walk where 4 year olds observed the vibrant blue sky and green grassy meadows, they returned to filled with artistic inspiration.
As they began working on landscape paintings, the children recalled images of what they had just seen outside.
As they began working on landscape paintings, the children recalled images of what they had just seen outside
The children's finished landscape artworks depicting the wonder of nature they witnessed firsthand outside were as unique as their young imaginations.
The children's finished landscape artworks depicting the wonder of nature they witnessed firsthand outside were as unique as their young imaginations. (2017)

Nature and Our Environment as Inspiration

Using nature as inspiration for art comes naturally to young children. Providing opportunities for outdoor sensory exploration and bringing natural items into the classroom breathes life into their artistic endeavors.

They may use sticks, flowers, rocks, leaves, pinecones and other natural loose parts to print, paint, and even stick the material itself. Sometimes they may observe and replicate patterns from nature in their drawings. Other times nature inspires more symbolic representations or fuels their imagination.

My 2-year-old at the time and her class mates using nature as inspiration for art.
My 2-year-old at the time using nature as inspiration for art.
Leafy green forest-inspired work done on cotton fabric, the children painted and then printed real leaves in green acrylic.
Leafy green forest-inspired work was done on cotton fabric, the children painted and then printed real leaves in green acrylic.
Leafy green forest-inspired work done on triangular wood, painted in different shades of green acrylic paint.
Leafy green forest-inspired work done on triangular wood, painted in different shades of green acrylic paint.

Famous Art Works and Influential Artists

As children learn about influential artists that inspire emotion and imagination like Van Gogh, Monet, O’Keefe, Picasso and others, they assimilate new visual styles into their own expressions. Recreating famous artworks helps appreciate technique and fuels the genesis of new visions. Exploring varied artists nurtures original perspectives, cultural awareness, and timeless communication via art.

Yellow-Red-Blue, 1925 - Wassily Kandinsky-Abstract
Yellow-Red-Blue, 1925 - Wassily Kandinsky-Abstract

Kandinsky Inspired Collaborative Shapes Abstract Art By 4 Year- Old Students

This work was done by choosing Kandinsky as an inspiration. Just like the famous artist children used music as their inspiration. Listened to music during the process which took a couple of months to explore and accomplish. The black background paint was painted on thick wood(MDF). Other smaller and thinner triangular wood intricately painted abstract were placed by each child in art their chosen places.
This work was done by choosing Kandinsky as an inspiration. Just like the famous artist children used music as their inspiration. Listened to music during the process which took a couple of months to explore and accomplish. The black background paint was painted on thick wood(MDF). Other smaller and thinner triangular wood intricately painted abstract were placed by each child in their chosen places.

Pollock Inspired Drip Abstract Art Done by Children from Ages 2-5

Number 8-1949- Jackson Pollock. Drip Period
Number 8-1949- Jackson Pollock. Drip Period
Let's start with the background which is a wide wood palette, the children collaborated in dripping, splashing, and tapping. A large number of students participated in filling up this big and ambitious canvas with vibrant colors. (My daughter at one and a half going on 2 years old. (2016)
Let's start with the background which is a wide wood palette, the children collaborated in dripping, splashing, and tapping. A large number of students participated in filling up this big and ambitious canvas with vibrant colors. (My daughter at one and a half going on 2 years old. (2016)
Influential artists who inspire emotion and imagination can be a key learning resource and tool for little minds.
Influential artists who inspire emotion and imagination can be a key learning resource and tool for little minds.

Here are some examples of open-ended questions you can ask

Process/Technique Questions

What made you decide to use those colors/materials for this part of your art?

Another Ocean (Underwater) inspired Canvas done by children ages 2-5 (2019)
Another Ocean (Underwater) inspired Canvas done by children ages 2-5 (2019)

I noticed you chose a thicker paintbrush this time. How does that change the way the paint goes on compared to a thinner brush?

How does the clay/dough feel as you roll it between your hands? What changes as you add more water?

Thinking Skills Questions

What is your next step going to be with your art project? How did you decide?

What would happen if mixed different colors? different shades?

The printing technique is one of the most fun techniques for children to do and it includes lots of sensory and pattern-making.
The printing technique is one of the most fun techniques for children to do and it includes lots of sensory and pattern making,
Another printing art project done by 2-3 year old children. (2018)
Another printing art project done by 2-3 year old children. (2018)

Feelings/Reactions Questions

I can see you have been working hard adding lots of detail to your art – How do you feel about your work?

What do you think other children will find interesting about this part?

How does this color make you feel when you look at it? Do you think its a sad color or a happy color?

The String-pulling technique, with soft colors(Food Coloring) and strings, creates a calming artwork. (2019)
The String-pulling technique, with soft colors(Food Coloring) and strings, creates a calming artwork. (2019)
The children made art with sweets. I think it invoked so much joy. (2019)
The children made art with sweets. I think it invoked so much joy. (2019)

Socio-Emotional and Therapeutic Benefits

Promotes Self-Expression & Emotion Processing

Open-ended art allows children to freely express inner thoughts, feelings, experiences, and emotions through visual symbols and creative choice-making. This helps them process joy, frustration, fear, anger, etc healthily. The teacher facilitates discussion and validation of their emotions as depicted through the art.

With an array of materials creating mixed media that brings out different emotions to explore. That in turn builds emotional intelligence.
With an array of materials creating mixed media that brings out different emotions to explore. That in turn builds emotional intelligence. (2019)

Builds Confidence & Resilience

As children envision what they wish to create and persist through challenges to complete their project, they build creative confidence and resilience. Taking risks, problem-solving, and directing the outcome bolsters independence and self-esteem. Celebrating mistakes and iterations as part of the artistic process helps normalize failure.

With guidance, using diverse art media and techniques children create the most amazing work because unlike adults they concentrate on the process more than the end result. (2019)
With guidance, using diverse art media and techniques children create the most amazing work because unlike adults they concentrate on the process more than the end result. (2019)
With guidance, using diverse art media and techniques children create the most amazing work because unlike adults they concentrate on the process more than the end result. (2019)
Acrylic Pouring technique used to my student's favorite way to make art, They have made quite a lot. It's simple expressive and fun in the process and they end up being beautiful works. (2019)
Students need room to stretch their imaginations, learn from mistakes, build confidence through risk-taking. If I interject too much structure or redirection, those peer-to-peer epiphanies wouldn't unfurl the same way.(2019)
Students need room to stretch their imaginations, learn from mistakes, build confidence through risk-taking. If I interject too much structure or redirection, those peer-to-peer epiphanies wouldn't unfurl the same way.(2019)

Enhances Relationships & Social Skills

Collaborating on group art projects requires communication, compromise, and learning from diverse perspectives. Negotiating roles and responsibilities builds empathy and community. Even in individual projects, discussing work and giving feedback promotes active listening, expressing thoughts, and respecting others.

More Gallery of My Student Creativity Through the Years

Another printing art project done by 3- 4 year old children. (2019)
Dragging technique implemented by a class of 4-5-year-olds. Open-ended, child-led exploration allows assimilating techniques tailored to evolving talents and interests. (2019)
Dragging technique implemented by a class of 4-5-year-olds. Open-ended, child-led exploration allows assimilating techniques tailored to evolving talents and interests. (2019)

In summary, project-based art promotes creative self-directed learning through meaningful hands-on art experiences tailored to early childhood development and interests.

As a caregiver/educator, few joys compare to witnessing the awe-inspiring creativity and self-directed learning unfolding before you as children dive into an art activity. Stepping back as they independently problem-solve through conceptual, technical, and collaborative challenges allows them to build confidence in their developing abilities.

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