The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity. It is important that children have regular opportunities to engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. The quality and variety of what children see, hear and participate in is crucial for developing their understanding, self-expression, vocabulary and ability to communicate through the arts. The frequency, repetition and depth of their experiences are fundamental to their progress in interpreting and appreciating what they hear, respond to and observe.

Early learning goals that link to art:

ELG Creating with materials

• Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
• Share their creations, explaining the process they have used.
• Make use of props and materials when role playing characters in narratives and stories.

ELG Fine motor

• Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paintbrushes and cutlery.

In the EYFS children...

• Have daily access to a range of media and materials eg different types of paper, varying thickness/hardness of pencils, thick and thin brushes, paint, paint sticks, pastels etc. in continuous provision.
• Are taught different techniques such as drawing, painting, printing, collage, which they can then practise independently.
• Explore colour-mixing through our ‘self-service’ paint stations.
• Learn abo different artists and draw/paint in his style.

The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity. It is important that children have regular opportunities to engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. The quality and variety of what children see, hear and participate in is crucial for developing their understanding, self-expression, vocabulary and ability to communicate through the arts. The frequency, repetition and depth of their experiences are fundamental to their progress in interpreting and appreciating what they hear, respond to and observe.

Early learning goals that link to design technology:

ELG Creating with materials

• Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
• Share their creations, explaining the process they have used.
• Make use of props and materials when role playing characters in narratives and stories.

ELG Fine motor

• Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paintbrushes and cutlery.

 In the EYFS children...

• Have daily opportunities to make their own creations using a wide range of different materials, fixings and tools which are freely available in continuous provision.
• Are taught how to use tools such as scissors, hole punch, string, Sellotape, cutters etc.
• Are encouraged to talk about what they would like to make, how they will do it and what they think about it when it is finished.
• Are encouraged to evaluate what they have made and make changes as appropriate.
• Take part in several weeks throughout the year where parents are invited to come in and make things.