8/27/2017

Some Advice For First Time Teacher Of Summer Childrens Art Classes Austin Centers Provide

By Raymond Butler


If you have been talked into teaching a painting class to little kids this summer, you may be concerned about how to capture the attention and imagination of youngsters with varying interests in this subject you enjoy. This will be especially true if you have never attempted teaching art before. There are simple guidelines to follow that will make the summer childrens art classes Austin is offering fun and successful.

If your class doesn't have much in the way of a budget, you might find providing cloth or paper smocks for all the students more expensive than you can manage. Sending a note to parents asking them to make sure their children wear clothes that are suitable for paint class is reasonable and appropriate. This class should be fun and not a time when kids worry about getting dirty.

You will need to set up a work station that is big enough to accommodate the number of students you have. Whether you are using tables or easels, they should be near enough to a sink to make cleanup quick and easy. Computers, furniture, and rugs need to be far enough away to keep them from paint splatters. Explain the concept of the workspace to your little students. If you don't, they may have painting materials everywhere.

It is very important that you choose paints that are appropriate for the age group you will be teaching. Little children don't need oils to paint with or other materials that may have dangerous consequences if swallowed. Water base paint like watercolors, dry gouache, and acrylics for kids are good choices.

Paint brushes can be expensive, and if you are on a limited budget, this is not where you should spend your money. You can get quantities of inexpensive brushes from big box stores and arts and crafts shops. It is a great idea to offer other items to your students to paint with like bubble wrap, sticks, spoons, rollers, sponges, rags, and anything else you think of that paint sticks 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.

It should go without saying that you, as the instructor, should be encouraging and supportive giving your students direction without criticism. You can suggest subject matter to get them started. You can even set up fruit in a bowl or flowers in a vase to use as subjects. Paintings should not be graded, and the finished products should be displayed proudly.

Teaching painting to small children is not about brushstrokes, techniques, or color. It is about freeing their imaginations and accepting the results. You never know when an encouraging word will result in a lifelong passion for paint and canvas.




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