Collage is an art experience where children create patterns and images by combining different pieces of material onto a surface to make their own work of art.  Children develop their self-expression and creativity as they choose what material to use and how to create their own thoughtful designs.

Learning and development 
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BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds. Together we teach, learn and nurture.Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.

 

Collage provides children with a wide range of learning opportunities.  They learn about design, patternmaking, dimension and composition and develop practical skills such as gluing, cutting and tearing. Their concentration skills are tested as they learn to solve problems and develop their own ideas.

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Collage provides children with a wide range of learning opportunities.  They learn about design, patternmaking, dimension and composition and develop practical skills such as gluing, cutting and tearing. Their concentration skills are tested as they learn to solve problems and develop their own ideas. 

A collage table is usually setup with access to a range of resources for children to choose from. Ripped coloured paper, pieces of material, bottle tops, pieces of wool, sticks or leaves are all great resources to have on offer. Glue, tape, staplers, glue guns and scissors are the tools they’ll need to make their creations.

Children develop their fine motor skills such as gluing, sticking, taping, stapling, cutting, and tearing paper. For older children this can also include skilfully using cold glue guns. Teachers talk and listen to children about what they are doing and support them in the use of the tools needed to make their collage.

Collage is an opportunity to be creative and learn about design through composition and dimensions.

Mathematics skills are developed by determining size, shape, measurement and patternmaking.

Collage can also be 3-D which adds another aspect to learning through construction.

Children practice solving problems and learn to act on their own ideas.

Children gain concentration and interpretive skills in viewing their creations and what they mean to them.

Teachers use descriptive language as they support children in their creating, new words are discovered, and children are encouraged to explain their ideas.

Collage | Mahi toi 

Collage areas need to be well stocked with what is accessible in your community. Things such as non-poisonous leaves, sticks, petals, dried flowers, leaves, small shells, paper, wool, tape, twine, coloured paper, magazines, old greeting cards, ribbon, milk bottle tops, cardboard, cardboard boxes, container lids, crepe paper, hessian and scraps of other sewing material.

Collage for toddlers can start with a few options and as children become more confident and skilled, the materials available become greater in variety, giving children greater choice in what and how they create their college.

Collage made from what has been collected on a walk in the park, in the bush, at the sea. Children can reflect on what stories collage can tell in a visual way.

Collage of photos taken on a trip is a great idea. Print the photos on paper and connected through drawing or painting to represent an idea.

Collage, paint and or drawing can be combined in one artwork.

Collage through weaving material between two sticks and making a wall hanging.

Continuing the learning at home

Click here for a rainbow collage activity