Parents as Partners: Create an Art and Writing Center at Home
Creating an art and writing center at home can be as simple as having a tote, tray, basket or box with supplies inside so that the child can carry them to the kitchen table. Or, you can create an actual writing and art center with a child-size table and chair, and supplies neatly organized and available on the table or adjacent shelves.
What you need:
- Blank paper — different sizes and colors (recycled is great)
- Pencils, crayons, colored markers
- Blank notebook (preferably unlined)
- Safety scissors
- Old cards, stationery, envelopes, wrapping paper
- Clip boards
- Index cards
- Collage material: small scraps of paper, styrofoam pieces, torn tissue paper
- Glue sticks
Optional:
- Ruler
- Hole punches
- Stickers
- Word stamps, picture stamps, and ink pad
- Stapler
- Water color paints
- File folders, colored paper
If possible, create an easel/writing/chalk board area with paper clips or clamps to hold large pieces of paper for painting, drawing and coloring. (These sturdy plastic art centers can be purchased at Toys R Us.)
Drawing and Writing Support Reading Development
Ways to get free or inexpensive or recycled paper and supplies:
Check computer stores and businesses for any old or unwanted computer paper.
Ask printing shops and businesses for scraps or recycled paper.
Shop garage sales and Goodwill.
Ask family and neighbors to keep a paper “odds and ends box” for you.
Let friends know your child loves books and art supplies for special gifts
A note about T.V.: If you want more family time and time for your child to stay physically fit and engage in more drawing, writing, reading, and school projects activities, consider storing the television in the attic until the child is at least 12. Many families with young children choose to eliminate the television or seriously restrict viewing to a few hours on the weekend.
