Irresistible Ideas for play based learning

One of the activities the children love to do on Grandparents’ Day is to draw, then paint their special visitors’ portraits.

They had a practice doing it with their friends the session before. The subjects sat across from the artists and held an empty frame up in front of their faces.

The artist drew what they could see inside the frame (or their interpretation of inside the frame) in permanent black felt tip pen.

Then they painted it in water colours …

… and they were absolutely beautiful!

Next session it was our  grandparents’ and special visitors’ turn to be artistically represented.

As the water paints dry so quickly, they were able to proudly bear their priceless gifts home when they left.

Some children barely looked at their subject … but just drew away and included their subjects’ whole body.

While other artists carefully studied everything about their subject and included such details as the picture frame, maybe a pair of glasses, even earrings or a freckle …

… even accounting for the details on their clothing.

It is so interesting to see what diverse stages the children are at!

We have just held two very successful Grandparents’ Days and we were blown away once again by the wonderful support we received from our families.

We had special visitors milling around, laughing, playing, dancing, singing and generally have a great time with their beautiful grandchildren.

As it was close to Melbourne Cup Day, we had had a chat with the children about the fashions people like to wear to the cup, in particular their fancy hats.

We placed a heap of colourful bits and pieces on a table along with various width card so the children and their visitors could make their own fancy hats.

As always, the children thought outside the square and did their own thing …

…  as only they can.

We are so glad that we don’t have the burden of telling children what is expected of them creatively because we always have the unexpected happen.

Who wants a fancy hat when you can pull it down over your face …

… add eye holes and wear a fancy mask?