EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Lesson 24: Creative activities in ECE center

Collage work

A collage is a picture made by pasting together all kinds of odd materials into a design.

Functions

1. It fosters an appreciation of the way different materials. Look when arranged together, there by emphasizing the elements of design and composition.
   
2. It provides opportunity for making choice and exposes to a variety of materials which may range from paper cotton, shells, wood scraps, wool etc.
   
3. It creates interest in forming design based on the differences in texture and color.
   
4. It adds interest in the activity as the different elements create beauty.

Preparation

1. Plan both background materials and collage substances.
   
2. Any kind of background material can be used ex: paper plates, card board, thick paper, large pieces of bark.
   
3. Select materials for contrast, variety and beauty.
   
4. Plan to use two tables for collage work. A work table covered with news paper and ‘choosing table’ from which the children make their selections.
   
5. Set the material out on paper or in attractive containers, so that it is easy to sort and at the same time looks attractive.
   
6. If collage items are heavy, use undiluted glue. For light items like feather, fabric, paper etc use diluted glue.
   
7. Decide how many children will work on one table (4 to 6 is ideal).
   
8. Assemble aprons, brushes, glue, felt pens, collage material.

Procedure

1. Put the aprons, roll up sleeves.
   
2. Encourage child to take a tray, go to choosing table and take things for herself.
   
3. Gradually teach children to think about their choices like what would be interesting? How well items match?
   
4. On returning to the work table, give each child a brush and glue container. Allow children to dip each item lightly in a saucer of glue.
   
5. Collage work needs lot of patience and perseverance. Many young children spend very little time, but most of older children can spend 15 to 20 minutes or even longer if they are deeply interested.
   
6. Monitor choosing table carefully. Do not allow it to become messy keep it neat and orderly to facilitate selection.
   
7. Collage has to dry flat, since glue takes a long time to dry.

Clear up

• Wash glue brushes with warm water.
  
• Return undiluted and diluted glue to separate containers.
  
• Wipe off glue from furniture.
  
• Send collage to home.

Variations: Almost anything can be used as collage material. Vegetable seeds (pumpkin seeds etc), buttons, textured paper, tamarind seeds, dried flower petals, leaves, wood scraps, use different backgrounds.