Process art, a powerful tool for young children and adults alike, involves creating with a variety of self-chosen materials simply for the sake of creating. Sometimes there is an end goal in mind, but often, the results of engaging in process art are unknown to the child until completion of the task. Process art is not a craft with a specific product in mind. It is not directed by adults. Rather, it is supported through purposeful and intentional design of the environment. In a Preschool classroom, this includes a designated art center with open ended supplies, such as paint, puff balls, glue, craft sticks, etc., which are accessible to all children. Supporting process art means also providing children with time, freedom, and space to create. Children move freely throughout the classroom, self-selecting process art when it is appealing to them and leaving the area when it is complete.
One of the greatest pleasures of teaching children of this age is watching the creativity, focus, emotional regulation, problem solving, social interaction, and fine motor skills developing within a truly student centered environment. Process art is all about the joy of painting, gluing, cutting, writing, drawing, coloring, stamping……being.