I already introduced to you the first layer of color in our work of art so let me show you the rest!
When you see the finished artwork, you might be tempted to try and do something like this in one day but let me encourage you to read on and see how the magic in this process is about giving the children time, materials, and the freedom to make their own choices.
It didn’t matter how much tape a child chose to put on his or her paper because with each piece of tape the child peeled off the roll, there was value in the effort. Even though the process may seem simple at first glance, let me assure you that it was quite challenging for the children to get those fine motor skills to cooperate. Each week, the children added a new color of tape to their paper. It was up to the child how much tape to add so some children added one piece of tape while others would add several pieces.
Skillful and Intentional
As their papers started to fill up with color, the children were becoming more skilled at managing the process of pulling, cutting, and sticking the tape. As the children became more skillful in managing the tape, they also became more intentional in their design.
Week by week the children filled their paper with tape creating beautiful lines, shapes, and colors. Because the process was repetitive, the children were able to transition from “how to do the process” to “how they wished to explore the process.”
A Process of Their Own
The children used the same art materials and focused on the same process, but the completed works were stunning and unique. There was never a rush to finish the process which allowed the children time to practice and master their skills and to make the process their own.
The final pieces of artwork were so beautiful that we saved them to add to our end of the school year art gallery. Honestly, if I could have just framed them and kept them on my wall at the preschool, I would have done so. At least I have photos I can enjoy!
Things to Consider
- Allowing the children to explore an art process over time helps them to build their skills and master the process.
- Sometimes the simplest ideas can be the most rewarding for the children.
- When the focus of art is on building a child’s confidence then the finished artwork will always be perfect.
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I’m really interested in this process art project! I can see how it builds skills and confidence in the children and encourages exploration and experimentation. I’m curious, when you started this project with the children, did you tell them that they would be adding a new color of tape to their paper each week, or did you just put it out again the following week without letting them know what to expect at the beginning? And what about for those children who want to do another and another? Did you give them multiple pieces of paper even when working with a single color of tape? (I realize there is not necessarily a right or a wrong way when doing process art, but I’m just curious how you approached it.) Thank you!
Hi Jenny! Great question!
We did this activity along with a color series. Each week we would introduce a new color and add that color of tape to the paper. Just one piece of paper per child and only one color out at a time. We would only set out multiple colors of tape when the children missed a week or towards the end when we ran out of time due to graduation prep!