Creative Skills Manager Heather Armstrong spoke with Brian Hartley, a multi-disciplinary artist who has led Creative Skills sessions in visual art, photography and movement. They talk about using different art forms together and across the curriculum, modelling confidence and learning alongside children.
Wee Inspirations are are ideas you can send to the families you work with, or use in your setting. If you want to access all the Wee Inspiration idea cards, head to the main Wee Inspirations webpage.
This idea really helps you look at shapes in the world around you and turn them into movements and pictures. Use your finger in the air to trace a line around the furniture, or a tree, explaining as you go: "That's the top, now down the side" etc.
When wee ones use cameras, we get to see their perspective of the world and they can show us details and views we might normally miss!
A mandala ("circle" in Sanskirt) is a circular pattern dating back as far as 400BC, used in religions including Buddhism and Hinduism. You can use natural materials, small objects or toys. Place one item in the centre, then radiate layers outwards to build concentric circles.
For wee ones (or adults!) who struggle with confidence when mark-making, drawing without looking at your paper can be a great way of getting rid of the idea of your creations having to “look” like something.