If you have been talked into teaching a painting class to little kids this summer, you may be concerned about how to capture the attention and imagination of youngsters with varying interests in this subject you enjoy. This will be especially true if you have never attempted teaching art before. There are simple guidelines to follow that will make the summer childrens art classes Austin is offering fun and successful.

If your class doesn't have much in the way of a budget, you might find providing cloth or paper smocks for all the students more expensive than you can manage. Sending a note to parents asking them to make sure their children wear clothes that are suitable for paint class is reasonable and appropriate. This class should be fun and not a time when kids worry about getting dirty.

You will need to set up a work station that is big enough to accommodate the number of students you have. Whether you are using tables or easels, they should be near enough to a sink to make cleanup quick and easy. Computers, furniture, and rugs need to be far enough away to keep them from paint splatters. Explain the concept of the workspace to your little students. If you don't, they may have painting materials everywhere.

It is very important that you choose paints that are appropriate for the age group you will be teaching. Little children don't need oils to paint with or other materials that may have dangerous consequences if swallowed. Water base paint like watercolors, dry gouache, and acrylics for kids are good choices.

You don't have to purchase expensive paint brushes for little kids or expect their parents to spend a lot of money on supplies at the local arts and crafts store. There are cheap brushes that work well. You can also put out sponges, wooden sticks, rags, string, rollers, bubble wrap, or anything else that paint will stick to.

When the lesson is over, and it's time to clean up, you don't have to do all the work yourself. Your young students need to learn that a work area has to be cleaned. You will do them a service if you insist that cleaning is an important part of the process, and teach your students how to do it properly.

It should go without saying that you, as the instructor, should be encouraging and supportive giving your students direction without criticism. You can suggest subject matter to get them started. You can even set up fruit in a bowl or flowers in a vase to use as subjects. Paintings should not be graded, and the finished products should be displayed proudly.

Teaching painting to small children is not about brushstrokes, techniques, or color. It is about freeing their imaginations and accepting the results. You never know when an encouraging word will result in a lifelong passion for paint and canvas.