Art for 16-month old?

[Anonymous]

What age were your kids when they became interested in art projects? My DD goes to a playgroup twice weekly where they do art projects, and basically she just makes a big mess, which I know is half the fun, but she doesn't seem to understand at all what to do with the crayon, marker, sponge, etc... She is on the younger side of the group -- most of the kids are 18 months or older whereas she is only 16 months old. Am I expecting too much at this age? At what age do most kids start coloring, painting, etc..? I would like to encourage art at home but am not exactly sure how to approach it or teach her. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Our DD goes to daycare and is 22 months old. What I've noticed is there's a huge variation in interest, "ability," etc. among toddlers - some kids are busy tasting crayons, markers, paints, others are smooshing materials between their fingers, some kids are absorbed and excited while others just aren't that into it at all (DD loves to paint, but "drawing" depends on her mood). I think 16-months is young - your child just may not have the coordination to manipulate crayons, pencils or markers (we started with DD at around 13 months just coloring but she really liked to arrange the crayons/taste them instead of draw with them, only around 17 months or so did she really get into making marks on the page herself; colored pencils were easier for her to use than crayons) - we use a huge drawing pad on the floor and work in tandem with her which she really likes or we draw something and she colors/scribbles over it. You could try finger painting which doesn't require as much fine motor coordination as using a brush or sponge. Crayola makes toddler markers and paintbrushes that are short and squat that are easier for little ones to hold (we got these at around 17 months and DD really likes them). We got DD a Doodlepro - it's a magnetic pad with a pen and magnetic shapes and she really likes to draw with that - it's easier to manipulate the pen and fun for her to help "clean" the page (she's been playing with that since shortly after her first birthday, though it's more fun now that she has better fine motor skills and she can make more deliberate marks on the "page"). At Christmas, we made ornaments and that was really fun (salt dough ornaments I made from a recipe I found on the web, that DD "painted" - I showed her how to paint them by guiding her hand for the first mark then she just went to town). Other than the Doodlepro and colored pencils, everything seems to be messy - luckily, it's all really fun to do together and everything does come out in the wash (thank goodness for Oxyclean).

[Anonymous]

Its the process not the product...thats what all the childhood development books say Here is my easy fool proof project for little ones

School Glue
Construction Paper
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Jello Mix


Have your LO drizzle school glue all over the paper doesnt matter where it lands. Think Pollack inspired
Then Sprinkle Jello on the glue. Watch it change colors.

Do Not Eat The Glue


Nanny Elisa

[Anonymous]

I think my son chewed on crayons at that age. I wouldn't expect much at 16 months.

[Anonymous]

My son is 23 months. He'll color with the crayons but then he also likes to break them all in half and take the paper off of them.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll try the Doodlepro as one PP suggested. I'm not expecting too much at this age, just wondering where to start. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its the process not the product...thats what all the childhood development books say Here is my easy fool proof project for little ones

School Glue
Construction Paper
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Jello Mix


Have your LO drizzle school glue all over the paper doesnt matter where it lands. Think Pollack inspired
Then Sprinkle Jello on the glue. Watch it change colors.

Do Not Eat The Glue


Nanny Elisa

HA! This is great. And a great project - thanks! You sound like a terrific nanny.

[Anonymous]

I know--that sounds like so much fun, Nanny Elisa! Thanks much for sharing it.

[Anonymous]

Just let her play and have fun making messes, they like to see what they can do.

My 1 year old likes to finger paint and scribble with crayons. I've also added paint to shaving cream and let him mix it around. At two DD had fun with cut out shapes. I'd just cut a bunch of shapes from construction paper and she would put them together to make whatever she wanted.

I'm not a fan of some of the crafty art projects my 3 year old brings back from preschool. So many of them seem to be done by the teachers not the kids and how creative is glueing foamies to specific area? The best projects are the ones that let them choose their own materials, create without constraint, and use their imagination.

[Anonymous]

You are very welcome! Another one of my favs is

Edible Fairy Wands

Long Pretzel Rods
Soy Butter/Peanut Butter/Cream Cheese
Sprinkles

Dip Rods into Soy Butter
Dip into Sprinkles


I love cooking projects! Kids tend to enjoy eating what they help prepare. For the older crowd http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/kid/index.cfm?cm%5Ftype=gnav has cool kid safe cutlery. There is another product called CuttleKids which is a really safe die cutting machine made just for kids. I found mine at Michaels Arts and Crafts for around 15.00.

Elisa

[zumbamama]

when mine was that age all she liked to do was peel the wrapper off the crayons.