A Parent's Guide to Art Play Class

Gabrielle Wood
Jun 17, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jun 17

Do you ever feel nervous before trying something new?

Of course you do! This is so normal and something we need to normalise for our kids.

Doing something for the first time can be scary to them but there are ways to help.

If you have a child who's a bit of a worrier like I do!, then they would probably like to be prepared before going somewhere or trying something new.

So here is my parent's guide to art play class (in this case our art play camp!)

Questions First!

One of the things I do is to answer any questions they have. This allows them time to think of all the worst possible outcomes and then feel prepared before they go, with their minds at ease. I then like to show the photos or videos of the activity to help with their mental preparation.

Here are a list of questions I have been asked before which your child might ask too. You can use these as a prompt/guide for your convo with your child. You know them best and know how best to ease their minds.

What will we be doing?

You will be playing with all different art materials like clay, craft (beads, papers, glitter, glue, stickers, paddle pop sticks etc). You will create WHATEVER you feel like for as long as you feel like it - no one is going to tell you to stop creating until you're ready (or the session ends!
Will there be any breaks?
There will be time to stop for a snack but if you get hungry before or after that you can eat & you can drink your water anytime you like.
What will we be making?
There will be an option to create a painting of your own on a canvas like a real artist. You will be able to use lots of different coloured paints & tools like scrapers, rollers, big brushes, stampers, even your hands and feet if you want to.
What does art play mean?

It means that you are allowed to play with art materials to see how they work, how they feel, what they do and whether you like usin ghtem to create something for yourself.

It is sometimes a sensory experience, meaning that you can use your physical body: hands, feet, arms, knees etc. Your hands will be squeezing paint and glue; and tipping out glitter! Fingers will be doing their pincer grip thing to grab beads and sequins. Feet will be standing in paint to move it around a canvas, if you want to!

Will anyone help me?

Yes, you can ask Gabbie for help.
What if I don't like painting?

There will be plenty of things to do besides paint. You can also draw on the canvases if you'd rather not paint them, we will have pens and pencils that look nice on canvas too.

What if I get paint on myself?

That's ok and Gabbie thinks it's actually the best part! You will be wearing old clothes & an art t- shirt and there are wipes and water to wash off any paint on you.
What if I don't know what to paint? Here I would say two things:
First "you can start by mixing paint in the jars and see if you get an idea from there."
" Second "Choose a colour and paint a background. Then you might get an idea from there".
What will happen at the end?
At the end you will be asked to help clean up and if you've got paint on you, you will be asked to wash it off and get dry with a towel.
Can I take my picture home?
Yes, leave it to dry and then at the end you can take it home.

Most importantly sessions are child led. Which means that the child is in control of what they want to do & what they don't want to do. They make all the choices: choice of paint colour, how many beads to add, whether to do what their friend is doing, or to only mix colours and never actually paint on the paper (this happens so often 😂). In other words it is about kids taking control of their art experience and having fun with art stuff, using their imaginations and playing.