Yes. These are toys. They are also tools and they are instruments of learning but in my opinion, they are amongst the most important toys we ever play with. Creating as you get older sometimes becomes serious stuff. It becomes a business or a way to make a statement on the world you live in. Unfortunately sometimes it even becomes the stuff of snobbery and elitism. However at its truest heart...all creation is play.
I was an art teacher,k-8, for five years and I can tell you first hand that most children aren't given enough opportunities to create. Which is sad because even when its silly and fun...art is a way of communicating and telling people about you and how you see the world. When that gets cut off, well we might as well be slapping duct tape across their mouths and yanking away their writing utensils. Luckily I was at a different kind of school where I had the freedom to build a program that hinged on open expression and discovery and worked in conjunction with classroom teachers who strived to bring art into the grade level classroom as well. That is becoming a rarity in a lot of schools these days.
The artist, Alexander Calder said "I want to make things that are fun to look at." I think that sometimes even the most well intentioned of art supporters can forget that there doesn't always have to be a project. There doesn't always have to be a purpose to why you are making what you are making or a plan or a theme. Sometimes the best experience of art is just sitting in front of some really fun materials and letting your imagination go wild. P-L-A-Y-I-N-G. Heck we don't even do enough of it as adults.
So here are my suggestions of a few things I think every good craft corner should have....the toys you need. :)
First of all, I think two things are really important. Color choice and quality level. When you get the crayon box...get the one with the most color choices. When you get the watercolor set, spring for the 24 or 48...not the 12. Yes I know that kids can mix colors and that's part of learning. However I think you are going to see an excitement in your kid when you offer them a larger spectrum of colors to choose from. I can't say enough about it. I believe it is hugely important.
Secondly, let them use the NICE stuff sometimes. No you don't have to spend $62.50 every time you buy a set of markers and yes its fine to get some cheap stuff from the dollar store. However, if and when you can afford it...let them use your stuff or buy them a little higher quality treat. For example, most children's cheap paintbrushes just SUCK. There is nothing nice to be said about those crappy little plastic pieces of junk that come in watercolor sets. All you are doing is setting your child up for frustration. Is play FUN when it's frustrating? I think you see my point.
Okay so here's what I think every house should have.
- a place to be messy and a person who doesn't mind a mess.
- watercolors, gouache and tempera paint (gouache is a more opaque type of watercolor in case you did not know). As they get older, introduce acrylic and oil.
- colored pencils, thick and thin markers and China markers (who doesn't love peeling those things?!). Also, real drawing pencils for sketching and shading and the kneadable erasers (these two things make them feel like "real, grown up, artists in a way that no other material can. Trust me, I saw it in my students).
- chalk pastels and oil pastels.
- a variety of colored papers, decorative papers, construction paper, magazines and things to cut up.
- a sketchbook, I prefer ringbound so that it lies flat.
- good scissors, glue pens ( I like O'Glue. Please just ignore that they even sell glue sticks, those things are worthless), tape..TAPE and more TAPE (in different colors too, that's fun).
- beads, baubles and doodads, fabrics, lace, trims, pom poms and whatever other little doohickeys you so desire.
- modeling clay
- items from nature, acorns, leaves, grass, flowers,etc.
- glitter! I don't even want to hear it! Suck it up and get some glitter. Take it outside if you have to but don't deny your child the magic of glitter. That's just cruel.
-most importantly...you. Not directing anything, suggesting anything (unless asked), drawing anything for them or patting them on the back every five seconds for their every move...preferably making something yourself.
I hope this didn't come off preachy but instead inspires you to sit down with your kiddo, in front of a bunch of supplies and just say "Let's play". :)
