If you have decided to make your debut as a volunteer painting instructor for small children this summer, you may be thinking you have gotten in over your head. You might love to paint, but little kids have short attention spans and can get bored easily. If you aren't used to working with kids, the job can seem even more challenging. There are a few things you can do to make sure the summer childrens art classes Austin centers offer provide plenty of fun for the students.
You probably have a budget for your class and know how many students are going to attend. With this is mind, you can decide whether or not you have the money to purchase cloth or paper smocks for your young painters. If the cost is prohibitive, you should send a note to the parents of your students instructing them to send their kids to the class in clothing that is appropriate. Even if the paint washes out easily, you don't want your kids worried about getting their clothes dirty.
You need to set up a workspace that has plenty of room for the students to work and is convenient to sinks. This will make cleanup easier. You should make certain the space you set up is free of rugs, furniture, or equipment that could be splattered. Your students also need to know that this is the only space appropriate for paint supplies. Little ones have a tendency to wander.
Not all paint is appropriate for small children. Oil paints are expensive and contain ingredients you don't want your students to put in their mouths. Kid's acrylics, watercolors, and dry gouache will work well and are safe for youngsters.
You don't have to purchase expensive paint brushes for little kids or expect their parents to spend a lot of money on supplies at the local arts and crafts store. There are cheap brushes that work well. You can also put out sponges, wooden sticks, rags, string, rollers, bubble wrap, or anything else that paint will stick to.
Clean up time should include everybody. It is not your job to clean up behind the kids in your class no matter how young they are. Everyone should be involved in washing brushes and other supplies and putting them back where they came from. Part of your teaching needs to be instruction in the care of materials.
A class like this should not be a contest among students for praise or awards. Your job is to encourage, suggest, answer questions, and be supportive. You can decide whether you want to introduce subject matter into the painting sessions or let the kids go with what interests them. The projects should never be graded. Every finished piece should find a prominent place on the walls of your room.
You shouldn't place too much importance on teaching technique, brushstroke, and color to this age group. It is enough that they have fun and leave with a feeling of accomplishment. If they learn that mixing blue with yellow gets them green, so much the better.
You probably have a budget for your class and know how many students are going to attend. With this is mind, you can decide whether or not you have the money to purchase cloth or paper smocks for your young painters. If the cost is prohibitive, you should send a note to the parents of your students instructing them to send their kids to the class in clothing that is appropriate. Even if the paint washes out easily, you don't want your kids worried about getting their clothes dirty.
You need to set up a workspace that has plenty of room for the students to work and is convenient to sinks. This will make cleanup easier. You should make certain the space you set up is free of rugs, furniture, or equipment that could be splattered. Your students also need to know that this is the only space appropriate for paint supplies. Little ones have a tendency to wander.
Not all paint is appropriate for small children. Oil paints are expensive and contain ingredients you don't want your students to put in their mouths. Kid's acrylics, watercolors, and dry gouache will work well and are safe for youngsters.
You don't have to purchase expensive paint brushes for little kids or expect their parents to spend a lot of money on supplies at the local arts and crafts store. There are cheap brushes that work well. You can also put out sponges, wooden sticks, rags, string, rollers, bubble wrap, or anything else that paint will stick to.
Clean up time should include everybody. It is not your job to clean up behind the kids in your class no matter how young they are. Everyone should be involved in washing brushes and other supplies and putting them back where they came from. Part of your teaching needs to be instruction in the care of materials.
A class like this should not be a contest among students for praise or awards. Your job is to encourage, suggest, answer questions, and be supportive. You can decide whether you want to introduce subject matter into the painting sessions or let the kids go with what interests them. The projects should never be graded. Every finished piece should find a prominent place on the walls of your room.
You shouldn't place too much importance on teaching technique, brushstroke, and color to this age group. It is enough that they have fun and leave with a feeling of accomplishment. If they learn that mixing blue with yellow gets them green, so much the better.
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