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Art material such as crayons, play dough, felt pens; chalk and paint as well as open-ended materials such as sand and water should be frequently available to children of this age. These materials should be presented under the supervision of an adult so that appropriate use is encouraged. Also, since children of this age have difficulty sharing, duplicates of materials will help cut down on competition for the same material.
Traffic patterns and the children’s distractibility also need to be considered when art or any other interest areas are arranged in the room. The need for occasional solitude and quiet is especially important at this age.
Construction center:
A shelf or cabinet with a small set of blocks identifies the construction area. Units, double units, ramps and a few semi-circular blocks are just right for toddlers to use on the floor. Smaller, colorful cubes, connecting blocks and small foam blocks are appropriate on tables.
Curiosity center:
Plants, leaves, shells, magnets, pumpkins, nests, gourds, pine cones, tree bark, magnifiers and many other natural objects and examining implements delight the curious toddler who observes carefully, touching and feeling these objects.
Sensory corner:
An area with playthings rich in a variety of textures, shapes, sizes and colors can be exciting spot for toddlers. All the sensory experiences contribute to the development of perceptual skills basic to all art activities.
Special space:
An area of the room can be devoted to unique projects and specially planned activities. Such activities might include specific experiences for holiday events. These events should be simple and concrete for toddlers. The play dough table is also a good art center for toddlers.
Sand Box:
A low box containing sand, vehicles, animals, shovels, spoons and paper cups can be used in the early childhood program. Toddlers gain a good deal from the endless sorting, measuring, classifying, and sensory experiences they have with sand.
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Participants