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Thursday, June 23, 2011

The "Correct" Tools?

I just finished my morning summer routine of looking through websites and reading all the fun preschool blogs and I HAD to get something off my chest! One of the preschool art blogs mentioned "making sure you use the correct tools". The site mentioned the different types of paint brushes (their uses), easels and smocks for cover ups. REALLY? WHY? I'm sure there may be hundreds of reasons we should use the correct tools at some point in our lives, but preschool art should be the exception. My class has always loved painting with different objects. Part of what makes my class fun is the uncertainty of what we will discover in class. I love finding strange and unusual objects to use for art. There are days when we do pull out a paint brush, or two or three. But for the most part we experiment! We have been known to paint with feathers, baseballs (my personal favorite!), celery, toilet paper/paper towel rolls and even communion cups (that's a whole different post hahahaha). The list could go on and on. The "correct tools" in my classroom are ones that encourage fun, creativity and yes, lots and lots of giggles. Why in this world would anyone settle for just paint brushes when there is a world of possibilities out there? Oh well, thanks for listing. I guess I should stop the ranting and do something productive today. Maybe I'll mop the kitchen floor? Hmmm . . . I don't think we have ever painted with a mop! NEW IDEA, LOVE IT!
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10 comments:

  1. Deborah StewartJune 23, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    I totally agree! I can't imagine what the "correct tools" for preschool are. If it is in the kitchen drawer and we can paint with it we do! If it is outside on the ground and we can explore and create with it we do! I hope you gently shared your perspective with the blogger:)

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  2. Deborah StewartJune 23, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Oh and LOL on painting with a mop - what a great idea!!

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  3. ScottJune 23, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    I always say that you can paint with just about anything. I guess if you were teaching specific art technique, you would need to use the "correct" tool but I can't imagine a time you would do that with preschoolers.

    I haven't seen painting with a mop - but have seen painting with plastic rakes and hoes, painting with a (unused) plunger, and painting with a whisk broom so I guess a mop isn't much of a stretch!

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  4. Sara Hickman designsJune 23, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    I own a business that provides educational entertainment for preschools and daycares. I offer a class called "no brushes allowed". The children are allowed to paint with all sorts of things, except paint brushes.

    The most interesting thing I saw was the children used the quill end of the feather - I was expecting the children to paint with the feather end of the feathers.

    Shows you that you should not try and control creativity.

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  5. Amy A @ Child Central StationJune 23, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Mop heads are great tools for painting with! We actually made some giant paint brushes with pieces of a mop head and pvc pipe :). They are wonderful for painting our snowy landscape in the winter (and painting nice BIG canvases!)

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  6. CountryFunMaineJune 23, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    First, Love the rant.
    Personally, I don't think there are correct tools for creative work at any level.
    We use anything at hand for creative expression from brushes to cooked spaghetti. It depends on what we are trying to do/learn/explore.
    Currently I'm gathering odd kitchen utensils for a painting/printing box. Maybe we'll try the mop idea for water painting the driveway this summer.

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  7. StrongStartJune 23, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    The art table is a great place to explore, hopefully with no boundaries of what can be used.
    I run a program where parents stay and play and I purposefully use items that they would not think of to get them thinking "out of the box". Also to show that you don't need to shop at an art store to do art.

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  8. Dana Gorman, Playfully LearningJune 23, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    well said! I am happy to see all the comments and the fantastic art experiences that so many children are able to explore with these great teachers. Plungers are fun to paint with as well and encourage big body movements. We have a set we use just for art!

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  9. Deborah StewartJune 26, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    Hi Karen - I have a special treat for you:) http://www.teachpreschool.org/2011/06/painting-with-a-mop/

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  10. LorieJuly 13, 2011 at 3:53 AM

    I love your rant. As a preschool teacher (and mom) I love to experiment with all kinds of materials for my craft projects. I even blog about it: http://kidscraftsblog.hyglossproducts.com/

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