In our AfterSchool program at RisingOaks Early Learning | John Sweeney, we introduced a variety of new art mediums to our School-age 3 children, including foam paint, pastels with blending techniques, and paper flower making. These activities offered exciting opportunities for creative exploration and hands-on learning. The children’s experiences throughout the process revealed their growing sense of confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm.
Foam Paint - A Sensory and Texture Exploration
The first art medium introduced to the SA3 children was foam paint. When the children came into the school-age room, they were intrigued by the unique texture of paint they saw instead of the liquid paint used. They started to experiment. The kids noticed the new texture right away. “It’s fluffy, soft, and light,” they all said. As they dipped their brushes into the foam, they were immediately drawn to its tactile nature, and many started exploring the material by feeling it between their fingers before applying it to paper. Marcus, who was naturally curious about new materials, quickly got to work, saying, "It’s so soft. I wonder if I can make it look like clouds in the sky." He experimented by layering foam on his paper to create a fluffy, 3D effect, enjoying how the foam held its shape. He was proud to show his classmates and teachers his artwork, commenting later, “How did you make this paint, Julia”? Educator Julia responded to him and the children at the table as their eyes were filled with curiosity. “I put shaving cream in the cup and added a splash of paint,” She said, smiling. As the children worked, they began to discuss how textures can affect the final appearance of the artwork. The sensory element of foam paint engaged their imaginations and encouraged them to see art through a different lens. The children learned about texture, layering, and how various materials can add depth to their work.
Pastels and Blending Techniques – Exploring Colors and Shades
In the next activity, we introduced pastels and taught the children to blend colours. At first, the children were eager to use the bright, vibrant colours of the pastels. They quickly realized that the pastels could be used differently – pressing them lightly for a soft effect or with more pressure for a bolder impact. Jakobo, who had always been drawn to art activities, immediately began experimenting with blending. "I want to make a colourful heart for Valentine’s Day," he said, mixing oranges, reds, pinks, blues, and yellows. He marvelled at how the colours transitioned smoothly as he rubbed the pastels together. He loved how blending pastels allowed him to create a sense of movement and depth. “It looks like a rainbow heart,” he said with pride. The children quickly became more confident blending colours and experimenting with new techniques. They discovered the importance of pressure and blending and how varying it could affect the texture and appearance of the colours. This activity deepened their understanding of manipulating mediums to create effects such as gradients, shadows, and highlights.
Making Paper Flowers – Creativity and Fine Motor Development
The paper flower project allowed the children to focus on creativity and fine motor skills. They created colourful flowers using tissue paper and scissors, carefully cutting petals and using pipe cleans to twist them together. This activity required patience, attention to detail, and understanding how shapes and layers can form something beautiful. Lila, who often struggled with precision, was determined to make her flowers look perfect. "I want my flowers to be as pretty as the ones Christine made," she said as she carefully cut each petal. She was initially frustrated by the cutting, but after practicing, she gained confidence in her ability to control the scissors. Her patience paid off when she finally completed her paper flowers, saying, “They look so real! Wow, they look great.” She said with excitement. Maria, who enjoyed adding flair to projects, took a different approach. She decided to make a flower, mixing various non-traditional colours. "I want mine to be very colourful," she said while experimenting with different colours of tissue paper. Maria’s flowers were vibrant and energetic, showing her creative use of colour combinations.
Looking back on the projects, it was clear that the children’s creativity and confidence grew as they explored each new art medium. From the soft textures of foam paint to the detailed patterns of each colourful flower, each activity encouraged the children to experiment with different techniques, express themselves, and push their artistic boundaries. The children’s experiences reflected their individual personalities and growing skills as they worked through the activities. Whether it was Marcus's layering of foam, Jokobos rainbow heart, Lila’s delicate flowers, or Maria’s flair for mixing colours, each child approached the projects with a unique perspective. They learned to embrace challenges, experiment with new tools, and communicate their ideas through art.
