Mess or Masterpiece?

"They're not messing up my classroom." 

I think we have all had that groaning on the inside when your tidied, ordered, well thought out room becomes like a Pandora’s box of paint, glue, feathers, and disgruntled children!

Just go outside - simples.

Getting the painting kit outside takes down barriers, especially those brought about by ‘not wanting to make a mess’.  It gives little people freedom to express their creativity in a BIG way as well as giving them plenty of space.

Children make messes, that's their job but in real terms they are actually making masterpieces.  This is how real high order learning happens.  What do you learn from staying in the lines or painting by numbers? Fine motor control is essential of course but keep that for another lesson, let's do messy masterpieces.

When little folk are painting or sculpting with chalk, mud, paint or water etc. their senses and creativity are heightened, watch their faces as their tongue sticks out the side of their mouths demonstrating absolute concentration! You've all seen it.

Just get a load of paint brushes, combs, sticks, feathers or straw and keep those little fingers moving and those creative juices flowing.  Whatever the end result, it will be their own creation, something they can be proud of and  the bonus to you is that your class will not look like the paint goblin had an all-night party in it!

You know it makes sense, oh and if it's raining try some puddle painting with chalks or powder paint!