Your cart is currently empty!
Teaching art to special needs kids can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as you offer them opportunities for self-expression, creativity, and personal growth, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges! Every educator strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment where each child feels empowered to explore their talents and to express themselves freely, although sometimes that is easier said than done!
To encourage your students’ creativity & engagement in any art activity, consider the following teaching tips:
1. Inspiration & references
As you introduce a new art project to your class, share examples of relevant artworks, artists, or related concepts to inspire and give your students a starting point for their creativity. Show them images using your Smart Board or Smart TV, pointing out elements you feel are important, engaging them in conversation. Conversely, depending on your student’s level of independence and computer skills, you can also pair them up and ask them to use their tablets or laptops to search for interesting facts about artists, their most famous works, and the techniques they used to create their masterpieces.
2. Demonstration and practice
Begin with a demonstration of the techniques and processes involved in the project. Allow time for practice. For example, students can practice drawing or painting a specific subject using a photographic reference. You can guide them by showing them step-by-step painting techniques or simply by letting them familiarize themselves with different tools like sponges, bubble wrap, paintbrushes and cotton swabs and materials such as liquid watercolour paint, metallic tempera paint or chalk pastels. Take them outside with a clipboard and crayons and let them engage in observational drawing.
3. Break down steps
Many special needs kids thrive in environments with structure and routine. Divide your art project into small, manageable steps. This will prevent your students from feeling overwhelmed and will help them focus on one aspect at a time. It is important to provide visual supports such as step-by-step instructions to help guide them through the creative process and the production of their art.
4. Material flexibility & experimentation
Make sure your students know that they can adapt the materials and tools according to their preference. Provide them with multiple choices; for example, they may feel more comfortable using sponge brushes rather than paint brushes or markers instead of watercolour paint. Encourage them to use what suits them best. In addition, emphasize the importance of experimentation and exploration. Encourage them to try different techniques to achieve varied effects (dabbing a sponge brush, diluting their paint with water, using their fingers) while reassuring them that there are no mistakes in art; it’s all part of the creative process.
5. Encourage personal expression
Allow your students to add their personal touch to the project. This could be through the choice of colors, additional details, or even unique elements they would like to include. Keep a variety of materials and tools nearby such as adhesive glitter paper, glitter glue and other crafting supplies. Focus on the process of creation rather than just the final product. Showing a step-by-step process is meant to guide your students through their creation rather than to achieve a specific outcome.
6. Sharing, continuous learning & showcasing
Once your students have completed their creations, organize a sharing session where they can present their works to their peers and discuss the choices they’ve made. Take the opportunity to discuss the artistic techniques they used, or any other relevant subject, enriching their overall learning experience. Lastly, display your students’ works in the classroom or near a common area, on the walls of the hallway, near the cafeteria or anywhere staff and students gather. Showcasing your students’ efforts will not only make them proud but will also inspire others.
Try our Sunset at the Beach Art Project!
