Setting a Studio Routine at Home

The idea of doing art with young kids, particularly at home, can seem intimidating. 

Having a dedicated space in the home for art making and projects can help.

Let kids be a part of the set up, clean up and care of their materials. That gives them responsibility and helps to set up a space for them to be successful.

In thinking about making art at home, places to store and U-covers for furniture and floors are part of the process.  When buying materials, think ahead about how you will set up and clean up a workspace for that material. 

Open-ended materials are best, the simpler the better.

Start by drawing with crayons, offering different sizes, colors and textures of paper. The quality of the crayons is important because better crayons will have more pigment and make a stronger, more satisfying line, especially for little hands. 

Once kids are beyond putting things in their mouths, oil pastels are also a nice choice for a crayon; they make a strong line and colors can be layered and blended. 

Markers are very satisfying for young children because they make a bright mark.  Sit with young children to remind them to keep markers on the paper; start with the washable kind but use real markers. 

If children begin to have a routine of art time in their day or week, their interaction with materials will deepen and grow over time. 

Using the same materials is more likely to allow children to gain a sense of mastery over that material and what it can do, leading to the joys of expressing themselves with that material. 

The child who draws with markers twice a week at the kitchen table is going to build confidence and begin to express ideas through his or her drawing.

In families with children of different ages, drawing together at the table can also be a good way to model use of materials for younger siblings.  Taking time to work alongside your children encourages them to engage in their work for longer periods of time.