Step outside and collect some of your favourite plants and flowers or find some objects from around the home. Grab those paints, pastels or playdough and enjoy some still life art!

Still life art gives children the opportunity to slow done, relax and be present! On the whole it’s a fun expressively creative and mindful activity for all.

When children focus and concentrate on the object they are bringing to life, they are encouraged to take note of finer details; explore and perhaps talk about colour, texture, shapes and size. Lots of learning opportunities come from still life art for children (and adults too). This form of art allows the mind to exercise abstract mathematical skills by unconsciously engaging parts of the brain to exercise spacial awareness and really grasp a concept of 2 dimensional art.

From choosing a diverse range of objects to sketch, paint or sculpt children, with your support, can learn more of the uses of those items, their ancestral history or just simple admire them for what they are.

When you provide a variety of art resources for your child to explore and create, you will further support them to learn to manipulate a multitude of art materials that encourages development of dexterity and hand eye co-ordination skills and unleashed your child’s creative expression through natural processing art outcomes.

Top tip: To benefit most join in this activity with your child; perch on a seat next to them. Let your child lead this activity with their own natural creative expression, by simply asking the question “Can you paint….?” (fill in the blank with whatever items you have collected). Let them express themselves through principles of process art, a term meaning: There is no set outcome; the art opportunities main outcome is for creative expression only.

Through art children can express their emotions not just creativity. Ask the questions: how do you feel? what are you doing? tell me about your picture? When we value childrens ideas and we can boost their self esteem.

Top tip: Make sure you protect furnishing so there is less of the worry of mess – wear an apron or use a table cloth if needed. And Try to let go about the mess element of art! – Take it outside if you’re that concerned. Dont make mess a negative thing for your child, you’ll only dampen their expressive flare.

Above all else…..RELAX and have FUN, learning through play as you create your still life masterpieces.

Top tip: Why not hang or position your artwork around the home once you’ve finished (and dried them) for the whole family to enjoy?

For more process art and mark making ideas click here

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Happy Playing

Dominique x

You can’t use up Creativity.

The more you use it,

The more you have!

Maya Angelou