As a parent, hearing the word messy may be scary. You may be saying no to yourself as you read this. It is understandable because even for the teachers at Choo Choo Train Child Care and Kindergarten, embracing messy art takes some courage. We make it happen through the proper preparation, planning, and flexibility, and you too can make it happen at home! Here are our 4 tips to help you have fun giving messy art to your child.
First, you must understand that messy art is important for your child
Messy art is one of the best ways for your child to explore the world around them with all of their senses. It gives them the freedom to fully engage in their exploration. They can try out new techniques, use their favourite ideas, and they can continue without the fear of making a mistake. This removes a lot of pressure from the children as they create, especially those who are inclined toward perfectionism. They improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and self-confidence through messy art. Do you want your child to develop all these qualities?
Second, make messy art suitable for you and your home
Believe us, you can contain the mess. Just think about the location. Here are some of our suggestions for messy art spots:
Third, prepare an exit strategy
Get ready for the mess. Think about what to do with your child, for example, when they are covered in paint. Or when they have shaving foam all over their body? What if they want to take the paintbrush outside the room? We recommend always having a large towel and water nearby. (This is why we make art near the sink in our school).
Finally, remember this: your child is washable
You want to give your child messy art for their development, you’ve picked a location that’s easy to clean, and you have prepared an exit plan. All that’s left is to let your child enjoy the mess and all the benefits that come along with it. Say the mantra: My child is washable. Repeat it over and over again until you believe it!