If you have decided to make your debut as a volunteer painting instructor for small children this summer, you may be thinking you have gotten in over your head. You might love to paint, but little kids have short attention spans and can get bored easily. If you aren't used to working with kids, the job can seem even more challenging. There are a few things you can do to make sure the summer childrens art classes Austin centers offer provide plenty of fun for the students.
You have probably learned that these kinds of classes have limited budgets. When you find out your class size, you can decide whether or not you can afford to purchase cheap smocks for everyone. If not, it's a good idea to send a note in advance, asking parents to dress their children in clothes that washable paint and supplies won't ruin. The focus should be on the paint projects, not the mess they make.
You need to set up a workspace that has plenty of room for the students to work and is convenient to sinks. This will make cleanup easier. You should make certain the space you set up is free of rugs, furniture, or equipment that could be splattered. Your students also need to know that this is the only space appropriate for paint supplies. Little ones have a tendency to wander.
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.
Your job in the classroom is not to be an art critic or to get caught up in how well someone can draw. Encouragement and positive suggestions will go a long way. You can choose the subject matter yourself or let your kids' imaginations take over. There should be plenty of wall space to display finished work.
You shouldn't place too much importance on teaching technique, brushstroke, and color to this age group. It is enough that they have fun and leave with a feeling of accomplishment. If they learn that mixing blue with yellow gets them green, so much the better.
You have probably learned that these kinds of classes have limited budgets. When you find out your class size, you can decide whether or not you can afford to purchase cheap smocks for everyone. If not, it's a good idea to send a note in advance, asking parents to dress their children in clothes that washable paint and supplies won't ruin. The focus should be on the paint projects, not the mess they make.
You need to set up a workspace that has plenty of room for the students to work and is convenient to sinks. This will make cleanup easier. You should make certain the space you set up is free of rugs, furniture, or equipment that could be splattered. Your students also need to know that this is the only space appropriate for paint supplies. Little ones have a tendency to wander.
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.
Your job in the classroom is not to be an art critic or to get caught up in how well someone can draw. Encouragement and positive suggestions will go a long way. You can choose the subject matter yourself or let your kids' imaginations take over. There should be plenty of wall space to display finished work.
You shouldn't place too much importance on teaching technique, brushstroke, and color to this age group. It is enough that they have fun and leave with a feeling of accomplishment. If they learn that mixing blue with yellow gets them green, so much the better.
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Get a summary of the things to consider before choosing a provider of summer childrens art classes Austin area and more info about a well-respected art teacher at http://www.amandaleejones.com today.
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