By Spramani Elaun
How to teach children to paint, first time lessons
Introducing painting lessons for the first time to children can feel overwhelming. However with some tips from a seasoned art teacher you can produce successful first time painting lessons and have fun. First time paint lessons can encourage a child to start picking up painting more often and be rewarding.
In this blog I want to start with the best tips for setting up paint materials, paint environment, and basic painting lessons you can start with. This will also work if you have no painting experience. You will have a chance to practice and quickly gain paint skills to guide young children. These tips will ensure a successful experience for both you and student.
1. Wear clothes that can get stained
Wear only clothing that can get paint on them. You can cover-up with a smock, or use old shirts. Smocks are similar to a cooking apron. If you are a teacher send home reminders, so parents can have their children wear appropriate clothes for paint day.
2. Preparations for painting
Prepare a work space where it’s safe to make spills. Paint near running water stations. Being closer to a bathroom or kitchen will be easier for clean-up. Drop cloths on the ground help with spills and stains. Some paints may not come out easier than others. There are washable paints and paints designed to stain and stick on surfaces.
Painting Rule #1
Be prepared to explain to children where paint is allowed only. For example: “Painting is only allowed on the table I prepared for you here. Do not walk to another area of the house or classroom.” I share these stories and tips why this is important in my book Kids Painting. This #1 kids painting rule has helped me maintain crazy spills and messes. Express to children how you have prepared a work space for the painting activity.
Prepare a painting workspace on a flat sturdy surface children can easily work around. I recommend this over a slanted paint easle. I discuss this more in my books and video trainings why first time painters should paint on a flat surface.
Paintbrush Clean-up Stations
This clean up station is better explained in my free download, describing this clean up sation and why it works so well. But generally – have ready and available a clean-up station for paintbrushes. This will be used for washing them out and managing paint spills. All painting supplies should be close to help children from having to leave the painting workspace you prepared. You should have napkins, rags, or a washing station near.
Only use child grade non-toxic safe paints. Never use adult grade paints with young children. Adult grade paints may have advance instructions young children will not be able to follow. Some adult grade paints may have chemicals that are not safe for small children. Always paint in a well ventilated space with windows or doors. Read more on this topic here.
4. Best First Time Paints
The best paints I recommend for introducing painting all student grade:
- Watercolor paints (student grade only)
- Tempera paint
- Acrylic paint (student grade only)
- Watercolor crayons
- Watercolor pencils
5. Provide Process-Based Style Painting Sessions
Provide projects that are more about exploring paint and experimenting. Children need plenty of time to learn how paint works and what its possibilities are. Do not expect young children to start painting realistic pictures or be able to copy paintings. Your projects should be fun and open to their ideas and experiments.
6. Things Children Can Paint On
There are so many thing children can paint on. Using different surfaces gives children more opprotunties to practice the skill of painting. If you need more ideas of what children can paint on check my books Kids Painting or Early Childhood Art Guide, you will get lots of inspiration. You can also check out all my art blog post. I share lots of ideas on how I teach chidlren how to paint for the first time using all kinds of surfaces.
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Recycled cardboard
- Watercolor paper
- Canvas
- Rocks
- Wood
7. Painting tools for children
Paint brushes are the most common way to paint, but should not be the only way! You can use many fun objects like; sticks, stamps, feathers, rollers, potato stamps, bubble wrap, droppers, sponges, squeeze bottles, string, marbles and anything that can absorb paint.
8. How to teach children first time painting lessons
The first lessons you should teach children is brushstrokes. Then how to blend paint colors, moving into how to mix primary into secondary colors (Color Theory) how to make lines, textures, and paint solid areas. Painting very basic shapes. You can also focus on just painting textures. Allow time for each child to explore while painting. Be open minded and encouraging of all artworks presented. I have a beginner PAINTING CURRICULUM focused on learning brushstrokes you can check out HERE. This is great for a teacher or homeschooling family. Here are some great blogs to start with:
Painting papers like Eric Carle
9. Clean-up & Materials
The best advice I can teach you here is to really focus on teaching children how to set-up and clean up painting activities. When his is mastered, you can allow for more painting lessons with ease. So be sure to demonstrate how to clean-up all tools and the art space after painting projects to older children capable of helping. You will feel more confident bringing out painting lessons to your students. If you would like to know more about teaching children painting join my weekly art NEWSLETTER HERE
10. Show & Display Artworks
Display artworks where every child can enjoy their accomplishments or allow children to take artworks home to share with their families.
If you would like to learn more about teaching kids, I invite you to take this easy video training Painting Key Lessons 101 – Online Video Course
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