by Melody Williams

Created on: March 02, 2009

Most philosophers and theorists from the 1700's to present day agree on one thing....children learn best through exploration and play. This involves allowing them to work with many items in the art area, whether they be messy or not. Not only in the art, but also across the curriculum.

I am a Pre-K teacher and I feel the messier children are allowed to be, the more creative they will become. My free art center consists of finger paint, tempera paint, water colors, glue, glitter, sequins, beads; the list is endless. There are times I remove all the paintbrushes from the area and replace them with sponges, fly swatters, feathers, ice cubes, toothbrushes, straws, and eye droppers. It gives them opportunity for exploration and creativity. We also offer opportunity to incorporate science with art by allowing the kids to mix paint in vinegar and baking soda in a zip lock bag. The bag slightly explodes on their paper and makes wonderful designs. Science isa wonderful area for children to learn while being allowed to experiment and make messes. A favorite activity is water play in my science area. I may put magnets and metal in the water table, or snow and spray bottles with colored water, or various liquids to predict which is heavier when mixed, and small containers of cream to shake and make butter.

On warm spring days I hang a paper the length of the playground on the fence. We then place cups and plates of paint out. We add various painting tools and let the kids paint any way they choose. Many times they will load up paint brushes and sling the paint onto the paper. Some children will place their painted hand prints on the paper, while others will use spray bottles filled with paint. One of their favorite things to do is step in the paint and make footprints throughout the playground. It makes quite a mess but, that is the best part. They enjoy it and it helps them to appreciate many forms of art.

We also offer a plethora of 3 -D objects so they can create three dimensional master pieces. Many times we fill the glue bottles two to three times a day when they are making projects. I don't stop them from using as much glue, or glitter as they feel they need to made a beautiful art piece. Children learn through play and by doing hands on activity. Messy projects also help with their large and small motor skills that they will need for kindergarten.

An early education teacher who objects to a messy project, or kids making messes while learning about their world around them, shouldn't be an early educator. A love of children and a passion to teach them is a must.

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