**This is Part 4 of a 7 part series on Mind-Body Skills. Check out the introductory post here or follow along on my YouTube channel.
Typically, in schools, art projects are left to the art teacher except in preschool and kindergarten. However, art is one of the best ways for kids to express themselves and their emotions. Fortunately, there are some very simple ways for classroom teachers to incorporate expressive art into their classrooms as a mind-body skill.
Remember several years back when adult coloring books became all the rage? Why do you think that is? As adults, we are so stressed out and overwhelmed by life - jobs, kids, keeping the house clean - that we are constantly seeking out ways to de-stress. Unfortunately, we typically convince ourselves that we don't have time to do the things that bring us peace and joy - reading, exercising, taking a walk - and we turn to unhealthy behaviors that make us feel good quickly - eating, drinking, shopping. Adult coloring books changed that for many people. We found a sort of calm in breaking out our good markers or colored pencils and mindlessly coloring designs on a page.
While coloring books are still a great option for kids and adults alike, there are so many other simple ways to use art as a calming tool. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Try a New Medium - Fingerpaint, charcoals, chalk, modeling clay...the list goes on and on. The next time you ask your students to pull out their crayons or markers, consider a different medium. Switching to one of the mediums listed above (or one of the dozens of others) is a great way to provide kids a different kind of sensory experience that they may not be accustomed to.
- Sand - Instead of having students practice their spelling words or complete their phonics work with paper and a pencil, give them a sand tray! This multi-sensory experience has many developmental benefits and has been proven to activate the brain!
- Create Your Own Coloring Page - Have students create their own coloring page for mindful coloring. These can be used during transitions, at the end of the day or class or when work is completed. Bonus - they are so simple to create!
First, create a simple design of loops or other shapes, using a black marker. It can be as simple or intricate as you'd like.
Then, color it in, as you have time!
What other ways do you incorporate art into the classroom? How do your students respond to these activities?
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