No matter how many times I try to get myself off magazine lists we receive a stack each week. I feel guilty tossing them into our recycling bin. There are so many gorgeous colors and patterns hiding in the magazine pages perfect for Recycled Magazine Collages!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE RECYCLED MAGAZINE COLLAGES
magazines
scissors
glue
cardboard rectangles (approximately 11 x 14)
AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT ENHANCED BY RECYCLED MAGAZINE COLLAGES
fine motor development
pattern exploration
shape exploration
color exploration
creativity
artistic expression
language development
Prior to introducing the collage activity cut various shapes and colors from the magazine pages. It is amazing how many different patterns and colors you will notice when you simply stop to look.
Set up a collage making station with a tray of cut up magazine pieces, glue and a large piece of cardboard.
Like with all art projects the focus of the Recycled Magazine Collages should be on the process of the work rather than the end result. Give your children the freedom to explore the different patterns and colors. Focus your language on what your children are doing. “Luca, look at the way you are squeezing the glue on the paper.” “Charlotte, it looks like you are using a lot of blue and white patterns. I see one with stripes and one with hexagons.” If your child wants to squeeze a pile of glue in the center of her work and then place two papers on the cardboard exclaiming “All done!” that is perfectly okay. Honor where your child is in the moment. Check out this post for more tips on how to speak with children about their artwork.
After your child finishes her collage observe the artwork together. “Look at all the different colors you used Luca! I see orange, yellow and blue here.” Pause to give your child time to speak about her own work. “Wow, this paper had many colorful circles on it! Some circles are small and some are big.” When you keep the dialogue centered on your child’s actions and basic observations versus your personal interpretations of the artwork (i.e. “It looks like a…to me.”) your child will be more likely to speak in detail. Observing in this manner also demonstrates to your child that he is the expert of his work. This is quite a powerful statement.
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