Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Art Experiments

I like to put random things out on the table from time to time to encourage Gerrick to experiment with art. Some may call this a provocation; others may call it strewing the environment; I like to call it putting some stuff on the table. More times than not he completely ignores it, and I end up putting it all away so we have room to eat dinner. Yesterday after lunch I put these things out...


It all sat untouched for 4.5 hours. But as I was prepping dinner, he noticed it, "Hey, what's all this?"
"Oh, that's just some stuff I thought you might like to experiment with." (Bingo.)



Busy, busy, busy...asked for a toothpick.



Then he asked for a whole box of toothpicks and made a puffer-fish.
Then he painted his hands and said that he was trying to make his skin look reddish like an Indian.

Some people may think that this kind of play isn't important and is just making a big mess. I disagree because "the lessons we learn during play, we apply when we are working to create something important to us." (Camp Creek Blog)

17 comments:

  1. That's fantastic, it looks like he's having lots of fun.

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  2. Awesome! I love strewing or putting stuff on the table. Sheesh, you and your technical terms. ;)

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  3. Great post! I'm glad he noticed and decided to experiment. I love that you call it, "putting stuff on the table". Funny!

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  4. Oh my goodness Gerrick and Fauna would get along so well! Fauna STILL love to paint her hands and get her hands all "messy" from anything gooey, slimy or squishy!

    I love the puffer fish!

    lisa

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  5. Hey I know those paints!! :)

    Hmmm.... I'm thinkin' I had a dream about this last night....
    can't quite reach it...

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  6. Wonderful! You're so sneaky leaving things out like that. ;-)

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  7. hey, i did that today! oh and this post shows one of my favorite things about you... keepin' it real!

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  8. I like the art. Yesterday I did something similar too, I set out some scissors, markers, two paper grocery bags, some yarn and pieces of felt- the end result- a puppet theatre. Don't you just love encouraging creativity!

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  10. That looks like learning to me!

    I think this type of play is really important. Plus - the puffer fish was great!

    best wishes, Julie.

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  11. I would love it if someone (mom/fairy) would leave art supplies at the ready for me, then clean up after I'm done! Great idea though.

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  12. This kind of play is crucial! I love how you let him explore these kinds of experiences. The pufferfish is adorable!

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  13. Great quote. Sounds like he would get along just fine with my daughter, she loves creating thngs our of very little.

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  14. So cool!! My girls would have a blast at your house, we love mixed media art and playing with supplies. I like calling it an experiment -- very mysterious and inviting.

    This would have been wonderful as an art lesson in my classroom years ago!!

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  15. Lol @ you like to call it "putting things on the table"! Love the interesting results of this experiment. :)

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  16. I had no idea this was a real "technique" for teaching. I am such a rookie.

    Thanks for the inspiration.

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  17. Thanks for the early morning laugh! 'putting stuff on the table' is perfect!

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