Category Archives: basics

The Importance of the Proper Tools (II)

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

My first post on this topic discusses my then-two-year-old daughter’s desire to cut fabric, and my search for proper fabric scissors that would be safe in her hands. (I’ve since shown her the business end of a pin and how … Continue reading →

Posted in basics, elementary & up, supplies, tools | 1 Comment

Building a Writing Center

Posted on October 5, 2011 by

Towards the end of the summer, I ordered Playful Learning. While I’ve gone through and marked numerous pages with sticky notes, this was my first goal: to set up a little writing center. We have loads of materials in our … Continue reading →

Posted in all ages, elementary & up, preschool & up, supplies, writing | 5 Comments

Scented Play Dough

Posted on September 29, 2011 by

The idea of adding scent to play dough isn’t new; I’ve seen it scented with peppermint more than once. N’s teacher let me know on Sunday that he’d need some play dough for a class activity on Wednesday–we keep him … Continue reading →

Posted in 3-D, all ages, color, elementary & up, preschool & up, supplies, toddler/preschool | 1 Comment

Art as Habit

Posted on August 1, 2011 by

I began this blog nearly 100 posts ago (this is post 99, according to WordPress) with a few modest, personal goals. I wanted to document what we did. I wanted a record of what worked and what didn’t work. And … Continue reading →

Posted in basics | 5 Comments

The Importance of the Proper Tools

Posted on June 16, 2011 by

I’ve always believed that kids deserve as good-quality art supplies as we can manage. This doesn’t mean the most expensive, but the tools and supplies we provide for our kids shouldn’t lead to frustration. The pencils and crayons should draw … Continue reading →

Posted in basics, supplies, toddler/preschool, tools | 5 Comments

Working With Found Materials

Posted on June 9, 2011 by

I recently purchased Beautiful Stuff! Learning With Found Materials by Cathy Weisman Topal and Lella Gandini. This is not a how-to book; it’s a documentation of how the authors and teachers worked with early childhood students, in a Reggio Emilia-inspired … Continue reading →

Posted in books, elementary & up, kids out of the studio, outside art, preschool & up, supplies, toddler/preschool | 4 Comments

Traveling Art Box

Posted on May 27, 2011 by

Quite a few items live in my car during the summer–beach toys, picnic blanket, long-sleeved shirts (just in case), wet wipes–and at some point during the busy week that just passed I realized we need some art supplies in the … Continue reading →

Posted in all ages, basics, elementary & up, preschool & up, supplies, toddler/preschool | 7 Comments

Labeling the Studio

Posted on March 21, 2011 by

(Inspired by the project “Water-Slide Decal Jars” in Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt.) Materials: Photocopy of your child’s art and a copy of the book. I can’t find instructions online (although she blogs here and might include it as a … Continue reading →

Posted in drawing, elementary & up, printmaking, studio | 5 Comments

Basics: Supplies: Drawing

Posted on February 10, 2011 by

What drawing materials do we generally have on hand? Here’s a list. Anything to add? Leave a comment! Crayons: While beeswax crayons are great, especially for smaller hands (we have both sticks and blocks), there’s nothing wrong with a box … Continue reading →

Posted in basics, supplies | 4 Comments

Storing Artwork

Posted on January 20, 2011 by

My sister asked me this week, “What do you do with all the artwork? Because you do a lot more than we do, and I already don’t know what to do with it all.” Fair question, and one I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in basics | 5 Comments