Art can take all sorts of forms, but when you think of toddlers and art, most envision finger painting, coloring books and cotton balls glued on construction paper in any number of neat designs. Teaching children at a young age to express themselves artistically is important for the health of their minds and self-esteem. Creating art implores children to build on their creative sides, to think for themselves, and gives them a sense of pride when they've completed their project. In Erie, Pennsylvania, several opportunities for toddlers to explore their artistic sides abound.
Children's Museums
The Erie Art Museum offers workshops on the first Friday of the month for toddlers to discover art through song, and creation, and they get a chance to explore the exhibits. The second Sunday of the month, they provide time for children and their families to explore art and create their own masterpieces.
ExpERIEnce Children's Museum offers a dance program to toddlers where they can express themselves artistically through music and movement. On Thursdays, the museum hosts Toddler Story Time. Each week the theme changes, and stories and crafts are presented for the children to participate in, related to the theme. Special holiday themed events are held, where children can create holiday related craft items.
Library Crafts
Along with story time, the public library in Erie offers Drop In Crafts and Holiday themed crafts for children. Children can work side by side with each other, their parents and or the librarian to create book themed projects. This instills not only an appreciation for art and creativity but for books and reading as well. Art offers toddlers another way to explore their worlds, through colors and textures. By allowing them to explore the physical world with their senses, how different objects can have different feelings against their fingertips and move differently when used.
Painting Pottery
Painting your own pottery at shops like Claytopia on W. 15th Street, can be very fun and special for a toddler. They enter the store, pick out the piece they'd like to paint, such as small animals, charms, cups, plates. They get to pick their own paint colors, and then their masterpieces come to life. After they finish, and the clerk has fired the pottery in the kiln and it has dried, normally this takes a few days, your toddler can look upon their work of art with proud eyes. They can keep their treasures for themselves or make them as gifts for others.
When children are allowed to express themselves through art, especially toddlers who have trouble sometimes communicating, it gives them a sense of freedom and a sense that they can get their thoughts across, in essence its an extension of spoken language.
Art and Craft Store Events
Arts and Craft stores, like Michael's, will often hold special crafting events that children can take part in. Toddlers can learn the use of scissors, glue sticks, and other art materials that help to refine their fine motor skills. Crafts events can be for the whole family, just for fun or for a seasonal holiday. Check with your local stores to see what events are happening that month and what the age ranges are.
Craft Fairs
Craft fairs are a good place to show your child the variety of different art that can be made, and to introduce them to a variety of different cultures. Often times the craft fairs will have crafts catered to children and tables set up for children to make their own versions. Erie, has a number of craft festivals that occur throughout the year.
