Choosing Paper as Early Childhood Art Material

A Guide to Selecting Child Friendly Paper Products in Daycare

Jan 7, 2009

Paper might be an everyday material, but there are many different selections that can be made for early childhood art projects.

As an adult, you use paper everyday. Generally, there is no real thought put into selection. This changes when choosing paper for the daycare or preschool classroom's art projects. The following article provides a few brief suggestions for choosing this necessary art supply.

Many art projects in the early childhood classroom necessitate paper as a main resource. Your choice may be made on availability, intended use, size, color, texture, or pattern. Activities such as painting, drawing, and collage can not happen without paper. The right selection is key in creating a unique art experience.

Look around your classroom, school or center, or home. Instead of throwing out left over flyers or pieces of newspaper, reuse them as classroom art supplies. This can work well for collage, or help create interesting painting experiences. Do note that each resused paper should be evaluated for proper child friendly content. Additionally, do not use papers with sensitive material on them. Examples are children's or staff's home addresses or phone numbers, payment records, any type of evaluations, or medical forms.

Construction paper is sturdy, yet thin enough to be cut or torn by a young child. Provide a selection of colors for the children to choose from. If your classroom is running low on certain colors, and the budget is tight, have the children create new colors by painting white pieces of construction paper. This can be used for later art projects.

Tissue paper is an excellent art supply for the early childhood classroom. It is very thin and fragile, hence it can be easily manipulate by little learning hands. Invite the children to tear, fold, and crumple it while exploring art processes.

Additionally, tissue paper color will bleed easily. Add water to make prints that will have a paint like quality.

These special papers add unique embellishments to many projects. They may be more expensive then traditional plain papers, but used in small quantities they truley add something special. Ask the children to explore color and pattern through these art materials.

Poster board comes in many different names depending on where you buy it. Most likely it will be too thick for a young child to cut, but it can easily be used as a sturdy project backing. Poster board in large sheets is also an excellent background for larger group projects such as a class collage.

Whether you reuse it or buy it new, the correct paper choice will effect any classroom art project. Look around you or look to an art (or school) supply store to find new and interesting pieces that will enhance your specific lessons.

The copyright of the article Choosing Paper as Early Childhood Art Material in Day Care is owned by Erica Loop. Permission to republish Choosing Paper as Early Childhood Art Material in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.