Rainbow Easel Starter: A Simple Preschool Activity to Help Develop Your Child's Imagination

My daughter Althea has been doing easel starters for years now. It no longer comes as a surprise to her to walk into a room and discover a set of art supplies sitting out on a table inviting her to create! If your little one is new to easel starters - it may take a couple of introductions before he gets the idea but - once he does - you will be amazed at your child's creativity! The concept is straightforward: set out materials in a way that encourages your child's open ended artistic expression. This is the third in our series on easel starters and today's rainbow easel starter is super easy to arrange.

Set Up

Set out a piece of paper on which you have pre-drawn a series of eight arching lines to create a rainbow shape. Select seven colours from the same medium (pencil crayons, crayons, oil pastels, markers, watercolour paints) and place them immediately next to the paper.

Step Away

Many little artists will elect to colour in the lines immediately. Whether they use multiple colours or one, whether they decide to draw around the rainbow shape, or whether they put the colours in the "wrong" order does not matter at all. In fact, the less you say about the masterpiece to be created the better! Remember, there is no right way to create art.

Finally, Ask This Question!

Once your little artist has filled in some or all of the rainbow ask, "What do you think might be at the end of the rainbow?" You will likely not have much trouble prompting your little one to begin drawing what is in his mind!

My daughter often talks and sings as she works and it is always fun to hear what she is imagining as she creates. It's like a stream of consciousness exercise that flows in multiple directions and back again. There is nothing more satisfying for me than listening in on these little monologues. Every time I get a glimpse into her thoughts and feelings. It is truly wonderful!

Et voila! Yet another masterpiece for your fridge! Stay tuned for more Artsy Startsy easel starters in the series but in the meantime, do you have ideas for open-ended art activities that have worked with your little one or that you are excited to try?