Introducing Art During Back to School With Toddlers and Preschoolers

Note: This video audience is set for 18+ ONLY and not intended for children, but instead as an instructional resource for early childhood educators.
My favorite tips and activities for those first weeks back to school at the art table! Make sure to check out these process art activities: teaching2and3yearolds.com/eas...
Back to School Resources:
First Day of School in the Toddler Classroom: teaching2and3yearolds.com/tod...
8 Steps for Setting Up the Classroom: teaching2and3yearolds.com/6-s...
Teachers: teaching2and3yearolds.com/sur...
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[@caririvera8604]

I took your advice and do no chairs at my art table. It is a game changer and I have kept it as a standard practice in my 3 year old class! Thank you!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

I’m so glad it’s working for you, Cari! ❤️

[@susanwilliams2807]

Hey Sheryl, thanks so much for this! You just boosted my courage to paint with the new young toddlers in our 2nd week of Summer Camp. My last class painted all the time but when starting over with a new set of kids, it's easy to forget that the rules have to be taught and practiced all over again. It just feels so nerve-wracking at first, even after 35 years of new beginnings 😄 😄

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

I hear you! Every year I have to remind myself to start all over again! 😀

[@wahyuImannudin]

Nice sharing

[@peacelovesquirrels8550]

I love this idea. We struggled last year trying to fit in art in free time. But this I think would be doable.

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Since our morning is so short, this really works well!

[@silverose1209]

What a great idea for the watercolors!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

I’ve found it to be very calming, too. We love using them!

[@elainnamyers1757]

Hi! Awesome tips as usual! I am changing classrooms this year and my new room is basically half the size of my old one! I would love any tips you have on setting up a small classroom, what’s the most important? Organization? Centers? All the things please! Thanks so much!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

My previous classroom was quite a bit smaller than my current one. I learned to be creative with every inch of space. Our science area, for example, was on the top of a low shelf in our block area. Our circle time area was also the block area during centers time. Our main tables were for art during centers, for snack when we ate, and then for table activities towards the end of our day. Don’t forget to use your vertical space. You can attach an easel right on the wall, and/or a felt board. We are lucky to have a nice storage room so that I could rotate toys and materials on a weekly basis. I had to be very mindful of how much was in the classroom so that it wasn’t cluttered. You can find older posts in my website that show my previous classroom, if you want a visual. teaching2and3yearolds.com

[@lisawendy33]

Hello ! I love your videos. I didn’t know if you would consider a video on nap times in the classroom. Tips to keeping children on their mats ? What strategies do you use in your classroom ? Thank you 😊

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Since my classes are only in the mornings, we don't have nap times. However, it's a popular topic in my Facebook group, if you'd like to join: facebook.com/groups/349498425589921

[@ascensioncano3606]

Thanks

[@lefille562]

Thank you Sheryl My daughter will be almost 2. She used to paint 🎨 a bit with those watercolors but now she’s been folding the paper telling me “like this “ because she saw us do a paper airplane and completely ignoring the paint Any suggestions for her to be interested to paint again

[@staceysievert8466]

I love this idea. I noticed that the children do not wear paint shirts. DO you have the children wear paint shirts or just have them change clothes after they are done painting?

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Children don’t have to wear smocks unless we are using materials that I am not certain are washable (that’s every rare and usually a special activity). I let the parents know in our back-to-school meeting that their children will get messy and to wear play clothes that wash easily. The children also keep a full set of clothes at school, so if we can swap their clothes if necessary.

[@erikaslearningresources3]

You are always full of great ideas. I need to purchase some butcher paper.

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Thank you! Yes, we love using butcher paper!

[@erikaslearningresources3]

@@Teaching2and3YearOlds Your welcome! I'm so glad!

[@efremchik]

Thank you so much for sharing! It's easy and creative! I wanted to ask you, when do you wash kids hands? Right away? And how do you introduce kids to art tools? During circle time or during the centers time when they are coming to tables? Also , how many assistants you have?

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

We are required to have the children wash their hands before and after eating and after using the toilet or getting a diaper change, but it's not limited to those times. I show how the art tools are used as the children come up to the art table. I have one full-time assistant and one floater (who is with us during centers time).

[@efremchik]

Thank you so much for answers! So creative! Do you wash hands after art right away? Or only before breakfast/snack?

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

@@efremchik Our sink is right next to our art table, so that makes it very easy for the children to wash when they are finished with their art activities. But handwashing, as I stated in my earlier reply, is not limited to these times.

[@lefille562]

Also where are those rolling brushes from?