Art's Explorer #6: Collaging With Scissors

   When people think of the word scissors, we automatically think of cutting something. Whether it is using scissors to cut the milk bag, pictures from a magazine or even a piece of string hang from your favorite shirt. We mostly see scissors as only having one purpose; To Cut. There are a variety of creative art activities for children that can involve scissors without that one purpose being attached to them.
    One activity that can be great for children's creative intelligent minds is through collaging. Children can use collages to express their likes, dislikes, emotions etc after reading a story, after a field trip or on the first day of school to get to know yourself and your peers.

Art Word of The Week: Design/Composition

This is described as, "the overall mark of success or the standard of achievement in artistic creation" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, P 142).

                            Collaging Activity
Step 1: Provide children with the necessary materials; large construction paper, variety of magazines, scissors, glue, markers etc.

Step 2: Depending on which aspect/ time you chose to do the collage, provide children with the approprate magazines/pictures. . Allow children to brainstorm their thoughts first before collaging. Encourage children to to design their collage to fit their personaility. As the educator provide lots of open-ended questions to expand children's thinking. 

Step 3: Once children have completed their collages, give them the opportunity to explain why they have chosen to display their collage this particular way;whether in small or large groups. This is a great way for children to understand their thinking as well as their peers and is also great for enhancing their social skills

I have made through the computer. This type of collaging on the computer may be a little too challenging for children. Hands on may be more appropriate for the younger children. This collage I feel represents me through the things I love, idol icons etc. Which is a great way to understand children in the beginning of a new year.

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J., E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6^th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar.