Preschool youth are at a very fun age to create projects with, yet keeping them engaged
the entire hour can be difficult. By extending the opening and closing rituals, and creating
2-3 projects to rotate through every 10 minutes, you and your team will be able to engage
the kids the entire hour with ease. In this curriculum handbook, there are three project
themes (3 weeks’ worth of curriculum) that are structured to Free Arts’ Session Format.
You may use them for the first few sessions at your site, only if you feel you would like a
little direction and inspiration.
Times for each section may vary for different ages.
All team member must meet at the designated partner site 15 minutes prior to session start time. This is
essential for preparation of the day’s activities. Take this time to review the planned project with your group
and prep materials.
Begin the session with an opening activity that marks the beginning of the session. This sets the tone and
invites the youth to participate. The same ritual should be repeated every week to create structure and
consistency. This can also be a time for youth to check in with the group and express whatever they wish.
Allow youth to lead the opening after the one-two weeks.
The project is introduced by the project leader for that week. Begin with discussion questions that allow
youth to make personal connections to the project and begin brainstorming ideas. If this is the first session,
a group code of conduct should be created and discussed.
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Check in with the youth continually throughout the project. Use open ended questions, discuss what
the project means to them, and actively listen to the youth. Allow for individuality through choices in
materials and opportunities for personal stories/interests in the artwork. Encourage problem-solving rather
than starting over if frustrated. Focus on the process of art over final product.
During reflection the group reconvenes to share their project and debrief about the experience. Not all
youth need to participate in the reflection process. Acknowledge youth’s effort and contributions of the day.
This is a good time to tell the youth the project planned for the next week. Using your project calendar and
knowing the project ahead of time allows for excited anticipation, but also maintains a safe environment.
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Have the youth assist with cleaning up the space. Assign specific tasks to each youth with clear
expectations. Clean up can also happen right after the project depending on the age of the youth.
End the session with an activity that closes the shared experience for the day and sends the youth off in a
positive way. The closing ritual is crucial to keeping the session a safe place. If youth have opened up of
shared challenges they face, it is important to have closure. The same ritual should be repeated every
week to create structure and consistency. Allow youth to lead the closing after the one-two weeks.
Spend 15 minutes after the session as a group to discuss the day’s session. How did the project go?
Were the youth comfortable with the project and materials? Any stories? This is a good time to discuss next
week's project and check supply inventory.
For Preschool, we encourage that each week, projects are connected by a theme. For example, the
first session plan in this handbook focuses on the theme, Believe in Yourself, stemming from the
book, I Wish I could Dance. The projects have the youth try new art techniques such as dance and
painting black paint all over their palms. Asking the youth questions to get them thinking about the
how the projects relate to the book also creates more focus on the theme.
At Free Arts we believe process is everything. Process driven projects are open-ended, unique, and
individual. In contrast, product driven projects are modeled, instruction heavy, and limiting. Although
projects may be set up in a way where they are very product driven, which is often the case with
curriculum for younger age groups, be sure to allow space for the youth to experiment. Using an
example from the first session plan again, if a participant decides to make their Penguin Handprint
green and purple rather than black and white, encourage it. This would be a good opportunity to ask
about their color choice and have them reflect on their artistic decisions.
Through experience, using books as an opening and theme for multiple projects has
been very successful with younger age groups. Although you may not have the specific
book the sessions above used, any related book will work.
Have the youth sit in a circle (the same designated area each
session). Read, I Wish I Could… Dance! by, Tiziana BendallBrunello. Be animated and make sure all the kids see the pages.
Tip: ask the kids questions during the story to keep them engaged.
Having a new “leader” or helper during story-time that can flip the
pages will help build youth leadership.
Image Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Little-Penguin-Could Dance/dp/1848356757
Have the kids stay in their circle.
Have examples of the projects with
you, and explain each one. Ask the
kids how the project correlate to the
story.
Projects:
Freeze-dance, Penguin Handprint,
and Penguin Hat
Discussion Questions:
Who likes dancing? Do you have a favorite
song to dance to?
Who has ever painted their hands? How did it
feel?
Does anyone in this room like wearing hats?
Well, today you’re going to make your own hat
and Penguin Hat
Set a timer so that every 10 minutes the kids rotate to a different project. Split everyone into
three groups, put each project in a separate space/table, and have the children rotate
through.
Have the kids choose 1 or 2 of their projects
(depending on whether or not the projects are still
drying). Have the youth sit back down in their original
circle. Let each child come up one at a time and
show off their project. After they show their project
off, have the room give them a round-of-applause.
After each child has had a turn to show, have them
all lift their projects high in the air and give them one
more giant round-of-applause.
Like the opening ritual, the
closing should be consistent
throughout the entire term.
Ideas for closing rituals can
be found on the last page.
1. Have the group spread out so they won’t hit one another
when dancing.
2. Explain to them that when the music starts, that is when
they have to start dancing. When the music stops, that is
when they stop. (Make sure that you dance with them).
3. Start and stop the music a couple of times, until the kids
get used to it, then take turns and let them all try to be the
music leaders!
4. Give all the kids high-fives before rotating.
Child-friendly music, iPod,
CD, or tape player
Space to dance
1.
2.
3.
4.
http://learncreatelove.com/handprint-penguin-craft/
Tempera paint
One large paint brush
Smocks White cardstock
Construction Paper
Scissors
Googly eyes
Tacky glue (inside cups with
q-tips)
Clear the table.
Have the kids put on a smock.
Hand each child their own piece of cardstock.
Have the kids hold out one hand. Paint each child’s
hand with tempura paint, but tell them to wait until
everyone is ready to “print” their hand.
5. Altogether, have them push their hands onto the
paper. Have everyone count to 10 and then lift their
hands up.
6. If the kids want to do another handprint, that is ok.
They can have as many handprints as they want on
their papers, just be wary of time.
7. Have the youth wash their hands, and then return to
the table.
8. Give the kids a choice on what color they want their
beak to be, then give them a small piece of
construction paper of that color, and let them cut out a
mouth for their penguin. Show them how they can fold
the paper to make the mouth open and close. Let them
paste the mouth wherever they feel it belongs on the
penguin’s body.
9. Give them each up to 5 googly eyes (if they only want
2, that’s ok, but some kids may want their penguin to
have lots of eyes!), and let them glue the eyes onto the
penguin.
10. Set the projects aside to dry, but be sure the kids
names are on their projects. Clean table up before
rotating.
http://learncreatelove.com/handprint-penguin-craft/
Black, white, and any color
construction paper (for
beak)
Markers
Scissors
Stapler
Tacky glue (inside cups with
q-tips
1. Clear the table.
2. Have thick strips of black paper precut. Go around the
table and measure all of the kids’ heads, and staple
the paper into a ring. Leave the ring in front of each
child.
3. Give each child a precut black and white “hill-shaped”
piece of construction paper. Have them glue the white
piece to the black piece.
4. Give each child two white circles for the eyes. Have
them glue the eyes wherever they want onto the body..
5. Give the kids a choice on what color they want their
beak to be, then give them a small piece of
construction paper of that color, and let them cut out a
mouth for their penguin. Show them how they can fold
the paper to make the mouth open and close. Let them
paste the mouth wherever they feel it belongs on the
penguin’s body.
6. Pull out a container of markers. Let the kids spend time
deco- rating their penguin however they choose.
7. When they are done coloring their penguins, staple the
body onto their ring for them, and let them wear their
new hats (only if the glue is dry enough!)
8. Clean table up before rotating.
Have the youth sit in a circle (the same designated area each
session). Read, Who’s In My Family?, by Robie H. Harris. Make
sure you are animated and all the kids can see the pages. Tip: ask
the kids questions during the story to keep them engaged. Having a
new “leader” or helper during story-time that can flip the pages will
help build youth leadership.
Image Source: http://www.amazon.com/Whos-In-My-Family-Families/dp/0763636312
Have the kids stay in their circle. Have
examples of the project and show them
each one. Ask the kids how the projects
correlate to the story.
Discussion Questions:
How many people do you have in your family at
home? How many people do you have in your
friend-family at school?
Projects:
Family Hand Trees
Thumbprint Picture Frames
Noodle-Name Necklaces
Does anyone have a pet family, or have you seen
an animal family before?
What kinds of things do you and your family do?
Set a timer so that every 10 minutes the kids rotate to a different project. Split everyone into
three groups, put each project in a separate space/table, and have the children rotate
through.
Have the kids grab their family trees. Have the youth
sit back down in their original circle. Let each child
come up one at a time and show off their project. Let
them name off the handprints, only if they choose to.
After they show their project off, have the room give
them a round-of-applause. After each child has had a
turn to show, have them all lift their projects high in
the air and give them one more giant round-ofapplause.
Like the opening ritual, the
closing should be consistent
throughout the entire term.
Ideas for closing rituals can
be found on the last page.
White and colored
construction paper
Crayons Scissors
Tacky glue (inside cups with
q-tips
http://www.oneartsymama. com/2013/02/
fingerprint-frame.html
Cardboard
Tempera paint
Smocks
Palettes
1. Make sure nothing is sitting on the table.
2. Give each child one piece of white construction paper.
3. Have the kids draw their own tree trunks with crayon.
Some may ask for your help, so tell them that you can
do it together!
4. Let the kids trace their hands and cut them out. Each
hand can represent a family member, pet, or friend.
They may need help writing the names on the hands.
5. After the hands are cut out, have the kids glue them
onto the branches of their tree trunks.
6. Make sure names are on the projects, example:
“Jaylin’s Family Tree.”
7. Clean table up before rotating.
1. Make sure nothing is sitting on the table.
2. Hand each child a smock so they don’t get paint on their
clothes.
3. Hand each child a pre-cut cardboard picture frame (make
sure names are on the backs of each one). Explain to
them that you will be making frames that they can put
pictures of their friends, families, or pets in!
4. Set out 1-2 fresh palettes of paint (have more waiting for
the other groups that will rotate to that station at a later
time)
5. Show the kids how they can dip their thumbs into the
paint, and dot the picture frame.
6. When the project is done, set it aside to dry and have the
kids wash their hands.
7. Clean table up before rotating.
http://littleinspirations.blogspot.com/
Yarn
Colored Noodles
Scissors
Markers
1. Make sure there is nothing sitting on the table.
2. Cut a piece of string for each child, and help knot the
ends so the noodles don’t fall off the end.
3. Set out a bowl of colored noodles.
4. Have the kid’s string on the noodles. When they are
done, help them tie the two ends together.
5. On each noodle, have the kids write the name of a
friend, family member, or pet. Washable markers may
come off easy, so think about helping them write the
names on with permanent marker.
6. When the name-writing is done, let the kids wear their
neck- laces.
7. Clean table up before rotating
Have the youth sit in a circle (the same designated area each
session). Read, I Like Me!, by Nancy Carlson. Make sure you are
animated and all the kids can see the pages. Tip: ask the kids
questions during the story to keep them engaged. Having a new
“leader” or helper during story-time that can flip the pages will help
build youth leadership.
Image Source: http://www.amazon.com/I-Like-Me-Picture-Puffins/dp/0140508198
Have the kids stay in their circle. Have
examples of the project and show them
each one. Ask the kids how the projects
correlate to the story.
Projects:
Self Portrait of My Great Qualities!
Special Rainbow
Pig Art
Discussion Questions:
How many people get sad sometimes? How do
you cheer yourself up?
What types of things do you like to do when
you are by yourself?
Have you ever made a mistake? That’s ok!
What do you do when you make a mistake?”
Set a timer so that every 10 minutes the kids rotate to a different project. Split everyone into
three groups, put each project in a separate space/table, and have the children rotate
through.
Have the kids grab their self-portraits. Have the
youth sit back down in their original circle. Let each
child come up one at a time and show off their
project and what their favorite quality is about
themselves, only if they choose to. After they show
their project off, have the room give them a round-ofapplause. After each child has had a turn to show,
have them all lift their projects high in the air and give
them one more giant round-of-applause.
Like the opening ritual, the
closing should be consistent
throughout the entire term.
Ideas for closing rituals can
be found on the last page.
https://www.pinterest.com/ pin/46513808627059138/
1. Make sure nothing is sitting on the table.
2. Ask each child what their favorite thing is about
themselves.
3. Give each child a paper with a face outline (templates
can be found online), and in inside the box at the
bottom, have them write in their favorite quality of
themselves (they may need help writing this).
4. Explain that you are doing a self-portrait, and that they
can draw their favorite quality if they want! (Example: if
a child says they are nice, they can draw themselves
smiling; if a child says they like their eyes, they can
focus their drawing on that).
5. From there, let the kids draw and color their selfportrait how- ever they want.
6. Make sure names are on the projects, and clean up
before rotate.
Paper with a face outline
Markers
1. Make sure nothing is sitting on the table.
2. Have the kids take one strip of each color.
3. Have them come up with things that are special about
them, and help them write those things on the strips of
paper.
4. Hand the kids a piece of white paper. Show them how
to draw a fluffy cloud, and have them try it themselves.
After they draw their cloud, have them cut it out and
write their name on it.
5. Have the kids glue each strip of paper to the cloud.
6. When the projects are complete, clean the table up
before rotating
Strips of Color Paper
White Paper
Tacky Glue (inside cups
with q-tips)
http://puddlewonderfullearning.blogspot.com/
2013/04/preschool-activities-letter- of-week-pp.html
Paper plates
Pink & brown tempera
Smocks
Paint brushes
Water cups
Popsicle sticks
Masking tape
1. Make sure there is nothing sitting on the table.
2. Give each child a smock to wear, and then hand them
a paper plate (with their name on the back), and a
paint brush.
3. Set out some pink and brown tempera, and have the
kids paint their plates.
4. After the painting is done, remove the paint, water
cups, and brushes from the table and have the kids
wash their hands.
5. Let each child choose up to 5 googly eyes, one
colored circle, and two colored ears. Give them the
cup of tacky glue, and let them glue on their facial
pieces.
6. When they are done gluing, give them a black marker
to draw holes on the nose.
7. Help the kids tape on a Popsicle stick to their pig, and
then set the projects aside to dry.
Sing the lyrics to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Choose one child to lead the4 count-off for the song. They can stand up and say,
“one…two…three…go!”
Goodbye, Goodbye Everyone,
Boy did we have so much fun!
Dancing, singing, and drawing lots,
Stripes and stars and polka-dots!
Goodbye, Goodbye Everyone,
Boy did we have so much fun!
(don’t use if you choose to do project #1)
Supplies: Child-friendly music (IPod, CD, or tape), IPod, CD, or tape player, & space to dance
1. Have the group spread out so they won’t hit one another when dancing.
2. Explain to them that when the music starts, that is when they have to start dancing. When the
music stops, that is when they stop. (Make sure that you dance with them).
3. Start and stop the music a couple of times, until the kids get used to it, then take turns and let
them all try to be the music leaders!
1. Similarly to Action Mimic, choose one child to lead the sound for that day.
2. The group will sit in a circle and ask to think of sound they can make with their voice.
3. The first person makes the sound, and then each person in the circle takes a turn trying to
mimic that same sound. This continues until everyone has had a chance to come up with a
sound. (www.pyeglobal.org)