TODDLER

There’s no doubt about it. Toddlers love messing around with art materials whipping up wild and wonderful creations to be hung on the refrigerator with great pride.

From handprint collages to whimsical valentine cards and fragrant playdough masterpieces, tots dive into art projects with great enthusiasm.

But art is more than just fun; it’s also great for your preschooler’s fine motor skills, language development, imagination and inventiveness.

Following are a few ideas for expanding your little one’s

artistic horizons.

Make your kitchen a little art classroom. Tots don’t have a lot of material demands in the art department, but variety is key to their creative endeavors.

Cover the table in a protective cloth and bring out the play dough, paints (washable!), crayons, colored paper and paste and let the good times roll.

Collages are always fun and the materials may be right

in your house already.

Try:

Glitter

Macaroni

Feathers

Cut-up old greeting cards

Magazines

Playing cards

Seeds

Sequins

Wrapping paper

The list is limited only by your imagination. And keep in

mind that it’s the process of creating that’s important

not coloring within the lines.

So, be encouraging of your toddler’s art. Let them talk

about their masterpiece.

It’s a great way to boost language skill

development as well as getting a bit of

insight into the thought processes of

your young child.

Local libraries often run a super slate of kids’ activities,

with toddler story times combining books and an

associated craft activity.

It’s a great place to let the little ones whip up some colorful

masterpieces while at the same time experiencing the joy of books

and having a chance to meet other tots.

Library story times are free, fun and a super way to

encourage both a love of art and a love of books.

Tots who spend a morning at

summer day camp get plenty

of chances to let their creative

flags fly in daily arts-and-crafts

classes, one part of a schedule

jam-packed with indoor and

outdoor fun.

Your little one will bring home

all sorts of projects and

decorations from nature-

themed collages to funky

jewelry, scratch art and

colorful airplanes.

Art classes are always a camper

favorite, since it’s so much fun

to dive into paints, clay and

crayons surrounded by camp

pals and fun-loving counselors.

Community centers, YMCAs and

year-round day camps usually

offer a nice selection of toddler

art classes.

Depending on your child’s age, classes may involve a parent and

adult, which gives both you and your tot a chance to spend some

time together …

… while meeting new friends and channeling your inner artist in

a delightfully messy toddler way.

For a cool combination of art and science, wildlife or history, check

out the toddler program schedule at a local zoo or museum.

Lots of these institutions run programs for youngsters that mix up

a little education along with some artsy endeavors and of course

some lively socializing.

Children’s museums usually run a

wonderful variety of programs for all ages

of kids, incorporating art into everything

from music to science and literature.

Art museums often run family programs that use drawing,

picture books and music to help bring works of art to life.

For a really wild hour, try toddler time at the local petting zoo

which is always a big hit when it combines a story, an art activity

and a real “wildlife” encounter with critters more their size.

Let your kids experience the art and crafts experience

at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with

arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more.

Visit the site at http://www.maplewoodyearround.com to see

the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Maplewood Country Day Camp and

Enrichment Center

150 Foundry St. (Route 106)

PO Box 88 (Mailing)

South Easton, MA 02375

Email: info@maplewoodyearround.com

Telephone: (508) 238-2387

FAX: (508) 238-1154