Number of children at art activity

[buckeyealum96]

I would like to pose a question to daycare toddler teachers/assistants/etc.

I have recently come across a daycare Toddler teacher who ignored the fact that 5 children were standing around her watching another child do a coloring activity. When I inquired if I could bring chairs to the table for the other children she told me that she only does art with one child at a time because it gets too messy.

I understand that paint can get messy, but this art activity was crayons and paper - nothing fancy. I am in the classroom and daycare center as a professional courtesy to the center. I provide assitance to the staff regarding children with developmental delays and other needs (behavior, etc.). I have been involved with the daycare for over 6-months and the teacher in question does not have much background (experience nor education) in Early childhood, let alone recommended practice.

Can anyone provide me with resources, information, etc to help this teacher understand there are reasons for letting the children work on art at the same time?

Thank you -
buckeyealum96

[Cathy]

http://www.teachingstrategies.com/pa....cfm?pageid=54
Creative Curriculum (book and/or website).


NAEYC.org

http://naeyc.org/newhome/vb/ece/2003/02.asp (!!)

http://www.ed.psu.edu/k-12/edpgs/su96/ece/dap1.html

There are way too many sources to name. Good luck. What really works best is seeing another approach be demonstrated. Can YOU set up an activity and model running an art process for a small group?