Our secret (not so secret!) paint wall that keeps kids coming back to our classes again and again! We love large scale art and so do the children. Here's how and why we do it.
The "Paint Waterfall"
(Perfectly named by one of our creators)
Children come to art play to play, not to be told what to do. (that's what one of them told me!) It is something I have to remind myself before each class so that I don't overwhelm them with instructions. They've had a full day of concentrating on listening and learning and the last thing they need is more dos and dont's from me. Less is more. Less instructions = more creativity. And that is what I want. A class full of creative minds pinging about new ideas and having fun.
So the paint waterfall was an idea I had for children to do large scale art and play with it however they want. It also doesn't require too many instructions. (bonus!) Obviously the parent in me wants to stand at the bottom covering my eyes shouting "be careful", "don't go too close to the edge", "don't throw paint on the sidewalk!". But as a teacher, I know that they are so engrossed in playing they wouldn't even consider these as options. They know the boundaries, "keep your paint on the canvas" and when they're engaged in play they're only thinking about play.
But surely it was a risk to allow kids to go up on the wall? Yes, when I thought of it, honestly, I was too busy thinking of all the fun to be had than logistics. But, when the wall went up and the kids were tripping over themselves to get up there I knew it was going to be something really special. It was TERRIFYING at first, don't get me wrong. But I trusted that the kids wouldn't do anything dangerous and they trusted me to keep them safe, Most kids just want connection and trust. Me allowing them to stand on a wall and squeeze a paint tube shows them that I trust that they will only do that. (no flinging paint at passers by please!) It is brings out this big energy of playfulness and joy that you just can't get from painting on the ground. The laughs, giggles and shrieks are like music to my ears.
I also noticed a few other things the more we used the wall.
First, kids get so excited they might burst - which just makes me so happy I could shriek too!
They wonder about actions & consequences & see them through.
They make choices, decisions & change their minds without any intervention from me. They love having autonomy and independence!
They always say the same thing: "I can't believe we're allowed to do this!"
How do the parents feel about the paint waterfall? Parents are instinctively protective and so at first they don't like it. Then they see the fun, the freedom and the enjoyment. And they start to trust me.
A smaller scale but still large scale art work we love to do is to roll out butcher paper or the bggest paper you have and put a range of pens, stamps, stickers on it. Then all come together and draw at the same time. This is so easy but leads to conversation, connection and creativity, which is what we're all about!
Do you ever say no to things out of habit? I know I do! See if this week you can say yes more. You'll reap the rewards I promise! Comment below what you think you could say yes to where you'd normally say no.
Term 4 Classes are open for booking! Click the links below to be taken to the booking page.
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