Art ala Carte Promotes Art Freedom
When children come to Art ala Carte, they run the show, they have full creative freedom to make their artistic vision come to life. We are set up to have self service art bars which means THEY pick their supplies out, they come up with their projects and they make a mess. As parents and adults we have limited ourselves and set unneccessary boundaries. Our children have not yet built these and they shouldn’t for many years. By giving your child freedom to create ANYTHING and not specify a project, they are building confidence and independence. At Art ala Carte unless a question is specifically asked to an adult, little to no direction should be given to a child. They are encouraged to make a mess and once their project is completed, it does not have to “look like something”. NEVER ask your child what they made, drew or painted. Leave the questions/statements open ended; “tell me about your project”, “how did you come up with this masterpiece?” Parents do not have to understand why taping 18 pipe cleaners to a cereal box and then painting it blue is art.
Your child is not behind if she colors her cow blue. Never tell her cows are not blue. This all comes in time and she will not go to college believing animals come in primary colors. This is their time to build themselves up and let them express themselves. If you feel the need to interject with lessons during project time; feel free to mix colors or cut out shapes. Create your own project next to your child involving these lessons. When you are done, write your child’s name on top and give it to them the way they address all their projects to you. You would be amazed how happy this can make a child. They equate time, energy and love spent on a project as a HUGE gift.
Lastly, let your child make a mess here. This is their creative playground. We have a chalk board wall, window markers and playdough table for a reason. As long as you communicate that at AAC it is ok but not at home they will understand its not ok to go home and trash your rooms and walls. Part of our job is to clean up after you and your family!