This is a blog post from Ms. Julie, head of Logos’ art program

“Art should be fun! We want our students to see art as a fun adventure that is another form of play, one that allows them to explore and express themselves and their ideas in a visual way.

Art gives children opportunities to develop creativity as well as spatial and perceptive abilities, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. When creating art, preschoolers gain awareness of colors, shapes, forms, textures and designs. Making art presents kids with choices requiring them to make decisions and solve problems. It allows them to make discoveries and can be used to reinforce other subjects, like science and reading.

Painting Butterflies

As an extension of our unit on insects and life cycles, the children created beautiful butterfly pictures. We looked at pictures of real butterflies and discussed how a butterfly’s wings are symmetrical. I explained what symmetry meant: the color and markings on one butterfly wing are exactly the same on the other wing. Symmetry is a mirror image of two sides.

Here’s how we did our butterfly project:

Each child chose the butterfly she / he wished to replicate.
The children then folded a piece of paper in half and reopened it so they would have a symmetrical butterfly.
They used a pencil to draw one half of the butterfly on one side of the paper. They tried to copy the outline of the wing of their chosen butterfly.
They then traced over the pencil line with black tinted glue, adding a body and an antenna.
The paper was folded and pressed down. When they opened the paper…ta da! They had a complete, symmetrical butterfly!
After the outline was dry, the children painted their butterflies with watercolor.

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Our kids got to choose how they wanted the colors and markings of the butterfly to be. The only requirement was to maintain symmetry.

We looked at the butterfly photos again so they could decide if they wanted to paint natural colors and markings or do something different. Some chose to recreate the natural butterfly. Others chose to create their own color and marking combinations. Whichever they chose, they were careful to make the butterfly wings symmetrical. One child accidentally dripped paint on one of the butterfly wings, but no worries! She just made the same mark on the opposite side.

This butterfly project was a wonderful tie-in to our insect unit and also provided a lesson in symmetry, developing spatial abilities, decision-making and problem solving. The children were pleased and proud of their butterflies! I think they are beautiful! “

Meet Ms. Julie

Ms. Julie studied political science in college but found her true calling in art, which she has loved since she was a child. She is inspired by all genres of art, learning about different artists and exploring all the different ways of creating art. Ms. Julie is passionate about introducing preschoolers to art and artists and helping kids discover that they are artists too.

“All of us possess God-given creativity that expresses itself in different ways for each person. Creating works of art offers a child a way to tap into that gift. “

Ms. Julie loves visiting art shows, exhibits, museums and Pinterest to get new ideas to use at Logos. Her favorite way to spend an afternoon is at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. She also enjoys riding horses and crafting.

Ms. Julie is excited to share the art Logos students have been creating for Logos’ Art and Friendship Gallery Night on Saturday, June 9th. Mark your calendars – you don’t want to miss it!