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This art play is a fun way for your 2.5-6 year olds to explore shape groups through design play while working on gluing skills. 6+ year olds will certainly enjoy this collage play as well, but it you’ll need to tailor the set up to their skill level.
My little artist is four. I limit developing skills like gluing and cutting to one per invitation to create. Today, I pre cut our organic shapes so Mr. Four can focus on gluing. You can invite your little artist to cut her own organic shapes in a separate session if her age and skill level allow.
Materials
- Pre-cut colored paper
- Glue (we use a sponge in a bowl with watered down glue AND a glue stick)
- Big paper taped to wall or table (we used construction paper glued to cardboard backing)
Instructions
- Set up the art play invitation.
- Model the possibilities of how to use the materials.
- Let your child explore.
- Your child can be invited to draw or paint on top of the collage when it is dry.
Process over Product
Art play for children is about the process, not the product. When your child is “done” their artwork may not look how you envisioned it would. Don’t interfere. Let their process be what it is.
I leave a project like this set up for an entire week. It’s a lot of gluing, and not many 2.5-6 year olds want to sit and focus longer than it takes to glue a shape or two. My artist comes back to it whenever he pleases throughout the week.
The book Blue and Other Colors from Phaidon pairs so well with this process and age range.
I hope you find time for some collage play with your little artist soon. Enjoy!
