Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, was created to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth and its environment. Celebrate Earth Day in your childcare center with this simple creative arts craft, Earth Art. Early learning goals for preschool age children involve creative development.
According to Art and Creative Development for Young Children by Schirrmacher and Fox [Delmar Cengage Learning, 2008], “Creative expression fosters emotional development and positive mental health by validating the uniqueness of the individual…Creativity fosters success and mastery since there is no one right way involved…Children feel worthy and confident knowing that they can have an effect on their environment”.
Preschool teachers and daycare providers have the opportunity to foster creative development in young children by providing art activities that explore media and materials and encourage imagination.
Earth Art activity is an outstanding illustration of a creative activity that provides the opportunity for expression and promotes spontaneity in material usage. It is also a great way to introduce children to textured materials.
This lesson contains the materials list, preparation instructions and procedures for this activity. The age appropriate learning objectives and a sample of the simple supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning are also included.
Earth Art Materials List
- Sturdy white paper or poster board
- Blue tempura paint
- Turquoise tempura paint
- Green tempura paint
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Butcher paper
Activity Preparation:
Cover the table with butcher paper to protect it. For each child, cut a large circle from white paper. Place paper, paint and sponges on the table.
Procedures for Earth Art Activity
- Invite the children over and tell that you are going to create a colorful earth using paint.
- Encourage children to dip their sponges in the different colors of paint and mix the colors on the paper.
- Next crumble paper towels and blot the earth art for a textured effect.
Earth Art Lesson Objectives
Objective 1
To provide the opportunity for expressive activities through the earth art activity by encouraging the children to create designs using paint.
Verbal Cue A: Today we are going to make a smaller version of earth!
Verbal Cue B: Let use paint to make a design.
Objective 2
To encourage spontaneity in material usage by allowing the children to choose colors or to blend the colors they choose
Verbal Cue A: Which color would you like to use first? You can choose blue, green or turquoise.
Verbal Cue B: I like the way you are mixing your colors!
Objective 3
To promote the sharing of art materials to foster social interaction and cooperation
Verbal Cue A: Let’s take turns using the paint.
Verbal Cue B: Can you let Joey use the blue paint?
Earth Art is an enjoyable, creative activity that children in preschool and daycare centers ages 3 and older will certainly enjoy.
Earth Art activity adapted from “Earths” activity on the Preschool Education website.
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