A little artist's workshop

It's all about getting creative.


Yesterday I had my first art workshop with the kids. I really should have been an art teacher. I don't know why I didn't follow my guidance counseler's advice.

It was so much fun. I moved all the furniture out of the kitchen, well, the chairs and table and the highchair, and spread out the five kids on my tomettes, covered with paper of course. We mixed and ripped and cut and did paper maché masks. I thought this was a good first activity because it was very hands on and gooey and the whole idea of the atelier is that the kids get all touchy feely with art.

The kids ranged in age from 4 to 7 and the interest level was definitely there but they did wane a little after about twenty five minutes. Anyway we had to get through it. And I explained to them that this was the boring part of paper maché--(it is boring) and the fun part comes next week when we get to paint. I tried to keep them amused by joking about how they couldn't touch my hair, or my bed or the cat (because they were covered in flour paste) and they thought this was the funniest thing ever so they kept teasing each other about it, ...and stayed interested. They're pretty young so I think it was hard to see where we might be going with the whole maché venture but they hung in there.

One other mom was there and one other was absent but her daughter was there. I said from the getgo that absent moms was okay by me so it didn't matter (it helps to choose kids that aren't too how shall we say...active so if their parents aren't there it's okay) With two moms we did fine. Normally there will be four more kids joining us so that will make nine kids! That just about my cut-off point because there are also two babies attached to the moms and I think the most kids I've ever taught has been ten so there's my comfort zone.

It's funny because I've been trying to get these moms to all agree on a start date for weeks and someone always has something so they can't do it (this is why I said okay to the leave your kids rule). Finally I just said okay it's this date! and most of the group wasn't there yesterday but at least we started. I don't think we'd have ever started otherwise.

So we'll see how next week goes. I'm gathering supplies for embellishments,--wondering if I can get some pipe cleaners and ribbons somewhere or maybe I'll just have to dig through my recycling bin.

One other side note. I think doing goûter(French snack time which falls at 4pm pile ) was kind of a pain because not only do you have to plan the workshop supplies but also food for a crew of kids. We're kind of stuck with the afternoon hour falling right at snack time but I think I'm going to gently suggest that people come with some cakes and snacks of their own next time. It sounds petty but it really helps you focus more on the activity if you're the one hosting the workshop and you don't have to think about feeding the little army that comes to your house. I'm also buying a bunch of plastic cups and plates from Ikea because as you may recall from posts a long way back I threw out all my plastic! and now I'm really regretting it.