TinkerLab Art Starts: 52 Projects for Open-Ended Exploration

by Rachelle Doorley

Get inspired with hands-on creative prompts for children ages 3-8 featuring simple materials you can find at home from an experienced art teacher.

Open-ended art prompts that give children opportunities to think creatively rather than follow directions are essential to raising learners who are comfortable with the unknown and eager to tackle it with problem solving skills, self-efficacy, and critical thinking.

From drawing, painting, and paper cutting to making three-dimensional art with clay and recycled materials, these 52 fun and engaging ideas for creative art play use everyday household materials to get kids engaged in their own explorations. These activities are led primarily by the environment. The set up itself is the teacher and will encourage children to think of creative ways to use the provided materials. With foundational information at the start of the book, parents will understand the power of art prompts to foster children's creativity and will be given a variety of ideas for creating a makering space and encouraging self-directed play.

• ISBN10: 1611806682
• ISBN13: 9781611806687
• Publish Date: 24 November 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Shambhala Publications Inc
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 160
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781611806687

Reviews

[annieb123]

Soon to be published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Tinkerlab Art Starts contains 52 art/creativity prompts for elementary aged children written and presented by Rachelle Doorley. Due out 24th Nov 2020 from Roost Books, it's 176 pages (print version) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

With the state of the world at the moment (in the middle of a pandemic lockdown), finding fun and constructive/engaging ways to redirect energy can be a sanity saver (for adults *and* kids). These 52 (!!) tutorials are arranged thematically: crayons paper & stickers (dry materials), paint water sponges (wet materials), paper scraps felt glue (collage materials), and blocks beads toothpicks (building materials). The book also includes a glossary and resource list as well as an index. The author has also included a very useful materials master list of all the supplies used in the book grouped thematically by department where they're located (paper, paint, glue/tape, drawing tools, etc).

The introduction includes an overview of safety guidelines and essential tools and supplies. The author provides an intriguing look at process and creativity without direct adult supervision. By introducing materials with an invitation to create (what could these become? What happens if we paint over this crayon? How does this material react with that one?), the child is allowed a much greater latitude for creativity, competence building, problem solving, and learning. Each tutorial includes an introduction, supplies in a bullet list, and open ended directions written in clear accessible language. The tutorials also include instructive photos which can be used as loose general creativity prompts.

The tools and supplies used are almost all easy to find and inexpensive, many can use recycled and upcycled ingredients which would otherwise go to waste.

Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for a maker's group, home library, school or public library group (when we can gather again) as well as for home use, and for babysitters and caregivers.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.