Before…

Since Spring 2015 I’ve been helping run creative, messy, playful art sessions for the Toddler group based in Parkhead Nazarene. It’s one of the cornerstones of the Residency programme-each session introducing the babies and toddlers of Parkhead to new (sometimes first!) artistic experiences. I have always loved working with this age group but having my own son at the same stage has definitely provided me with a deeper (perhaps more realistic!) perspective of engaging with these little tots. It really can be a challenge to think of an activity which very small babies can participate in as well as older pre-schoolers. I suppose the most successful of my sessions would now focus on providing ‘experiences’ versus ‘activities’ for the children and their families/carers. My ‘Printmaking for Toddlers’ session probably best encapsulates this approach.

Is there anything more exciting to a toddler as a large expanse of clean white paper and the instruction to ‘get messy’?! Rather than little individual pieces I find the novelty and ‘team’ aspect of a large roll of lining paper so much more inspiring to little ones- they have not yet entered that stage of being precious in their ownership (and to be honest parents are mostly happy they don’t need to negotiate home a soggy A4 painting!) A large canvas is usually a new experience (often rarely available at home) so this allows for a bit more freedom and the introduction for new ‘techniques’. Printmaking with this age group makes so much sense as they often have not yet developed the grip and dexterity to hold paintbrushes or even crayons yet. I get together recognisable toys, household items, stationary and (apart from being fun!) little hand are able to reach out and grab easily. With very little help they are able to stamp, roll, slide, scrub, bash away to their hearts content into the paint and paper! Once you have tried this once you will see the printmaking potential in every toy or bathroom accessory! My particular favourite is the sea urchin-like stamp you can make with a shower puff! The kids however, love to drive toy cars through the ink and across the paper, stamp Duplo blocks or- lets face the inevitable- their hands!

 …Somehow we also acquired the church’s doorstop…