Creating a sculpture of your favourite animal using found materials

Oftentimes, a quick search online for art-based activities ends up generating an abundance of examples that lack clear objectives or purpose. These activities, often focused on creating ‘cute-looking’ products—a cat out of paper plates, a snowman using pre-cut shapes and cotton, or a coloring-within-the-lines activity—are emblematic of the step-by-step procedural format they embody. Such activities are didactic in nature and stifle a child’s creative and artistic development. They can also unintentionally color children’s conceptions of what art is and looks like. In essence, the purposes and potential of art are diminished through such activities.

The following activity seeks to provide an alternate perspective on how art activities can be designed to foster imagination, problem-solving, and divergent thinking in children. Please try out this activity for yourself and/or with children.

Age: 6 years and above
Materials: Pots, pans, utensils, bottles, bottle caps, cardboard box, bags, old books, newspapers, dough, etc.
Objective: To thrive in a constantly evolving world, children need to be equipped with skills and attitudes that prepare them to tackle the known and also the unknown. They should be able to push past their limits, think beyond present possibilities, and learn to come up with creative solutions. Divergent thinking skills are critical in enabling children to think flexibly and generate multiple solutions. This activity seeks to facilitate the development of this important skill.

Activity:

1. Closely observe an image of your favorite animal. Observe all parts of your chosen animal’s body, as well as the small details.
2. Look around your house to see if there are everyday materials and objects that you can find that can be used to recreate your favorite animal. You can make your animal-sculpture stand on the floor by stacking your objects or by leaning it against the wall for support.
3. Identify at least 5 different materials and objects that you can use to create your animal sculpture.
4. Start with the biggest part of your animal’s body. Arrange your found materials/objects to create the shape of the body.
5. Then move on to the smaller details like their legs, face, tail, etc., and arrange more materials/objects to make it look more like your favorite animal.

For more art-based activities, please visit:

http://www.art-sparks.org/activity-resources.html