Birthday and brave themed toddler art experiences

On March 7 I did a presentation at the Pierce County AEYC As a Teacher Grows Conference about creating art experiences for toddlers ages 1-3 years old.  (I mostly talked about what I wrote in my book, Artsy Toddler Storytimes.)  My presentation ended with an activity to get the educators thinking.

Here are their ideas on doing toddler art around a "birthday" theme:

• Crowns
• Puffy paint cupcakes
• Markers on balloons
• Cookie decorating
• Shape stamps
• Toilet roll candles
• Tube party blowers
• Hand held streamers
• Face painting
• Decorate a slice of cake
• Calendar
• Baking
• Games (pin the tail on the donkey)
• Play-dough with candles
• Self portrait and create card with all of their favorite things/family/hobbies - storybook

Here are their ideas on doing toddler art around a "brave" theme:

• Shield, knights - aluminum
• Lion puppets - use yarn for mane
• Sword
• Super heroes - mask, capes (towels)
• Firefighters - stickers on plastic fire hats
• Police - badge
• Siblings/family
• Doctor kit
• Army
• Adventure bite
• Food craft
• Place your picture on a superhero. Draw or write why you would want to be that hero. Who is your hero?
• Create cards that have the character traits of a hero (use shapes like hearts, etc.)