Packed with 52 fun and colorful exercises geared toward 3- to 6-year-olds, this book offers parents and teachers an outstanding source of creative art activities to inspire and enrich this wide-eyed and open-hearted age group. Activities are organized by medium and designed to encourage self-expression. Each Lab also features the work of a prominent artist for inspiration. Gorgeous photography shows different results from different people using the same lesson, exemplifying the way the lesson brings out each artist's personal style. Have fun: drawing with food coloring-tinted ice cubes. painting using a sponge bottle washer and tempera paints. printmaking using balloons, lace, and potatoes to place ink. sculpting with tinfoil, paper mache, and paper tubes. creating mixed media art with fabric, wallpaper samples, and items from nature. Targeting one of the most critical developmental periods for children, Art Lab for Little Kids is the perfect book for both parents and teachers who are seeking enriching and unique experiences to offer this age group. This inspirational book stands out as a unique reference for creating fine art with children through finding the student's own voice, marks, and style and with playful lessons that result in significant skill building. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus-all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.

"Susan Schwake's "Art Lab for Kids "is a well-thought-out guide, making it easy to introduce art into children's lives. Simple, clear explanations of technique, combined with inspiration from established artists, will enable children to feel successful and encouraged to explore art as a form of expression." - Rebecca Emberley, best-selling children's book author and illustrator
""Art Lab for Kids" will make a valuable contribution to the literature of children's creative art experiences for teachers and others who believe in the value of art in the education of all children. The activities are adaptable to learners of all levels and are highly creative and challenging while balancing the artistic process with the potential for a meaningful product. This book will be an important addition to our program in art teacher education." - Bill Haust, Chairman, Department of Art Education, Plymouth State University
""Art Lab for Kids" encourages all ages to be fearless in seeking and nurturing their creativity. With lessons, inspiration, and advice, Susan Schwake gives you the tools to find and explore your artistic side." - Kathreen Ricketson, found and editor of http: //www.whipup.net and http: //www.action-pack.com
A refreshing source of ideas for creating fine art with children, "Art Lab for Kids" encourages the artist's own voice, marks, and style. This fun and creative book features 52 fine art projects set into weekly lessons, beginning with drawing, moving through painting and printmaking, and then building to paper collage and mixed media. Each lesson features and relates to the work and style of a contemporary artist. Lisa Congdon, Megan Bogonovich, and Amy Rice are just a few of the artists included. The labs can be used as singular projects or to build up to a year of hand-on fine art experiences. The lessons in this book are open-ended to be explored over and over-with different results each time Colorful photos illustrate how different people using the same lesson will yield different results, exemplifying the way the lesson brings out each artist's personal style. "Art Lab for Kids" is the perfect book for creative families, friends, and community groups and works as lesson plans for both experienced and new art teachers. Children of all ages and experience levels can be guided by adults and will enjoy these engaging exercises.