‘IT’S ARTY TIME’

DEVELOPING ARTS ACTIVITIES WITHIN COMMUNITY SETTINGS

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS WORKING WITH THE UNDER FIVES & PARENTS/CARERS

• Choose a venue where making a mess doesn’t matter. Wooden floors that sweep and wash well; old furniture that can take a few knocks; a cleaning up area for painty hands.
• Use as much scrap as possible – the paper will get used up before your eyes. An old cardboard box or yoghurt pot is always much more than that to a toddler.
• Keep wet wipes to hand.
• It’s not necessary to have children’s versions of art materials, but it is useful to have a variety of sizes of brushes, water pots that won’t easily get knocked over and scissors that small fingers can work (but that really do cut).
• Have a few ground rules such as not walking around with scissors and sitting down at snack time. But not too many – they are supposed to be having fun!
• Provide a space for pushchairs.
• Snacks provide a diversion as well as fuel for hungry toddlers and can create ‘down-time’ if things start to get too boisterous. Make a cup of tea for the mums and dads – it’s their group too.
• Always keep this week’s still-wet creations safe (and named) so that kids can pick them up next time they come. 
• Choose activities that can be easily adapted for age – a 1 year old has very different abilities to a 3 year old. 
• Don’t worry if the kids don’t do what they are ‘supposed to’. They will still be having a great time.

Top Tips from Space 109

Storycatch supported by City of York Council (Inclusive Arts, Arts & Culture)