Both teachers and children are learners in a Reggio Emilia classroom. With this attitude, children's opinions and ideas are highly respected. Lay out art tools and materials, such as paints, crayons and papers, in a specific area of the classroom for children to experiment on their own. Closely observe each child and allow them to explore art projects that engage them. For example, give a child who is interested in light and shadows materials to create shadow puppets.
Art ideas come out of projects children are working on in the classroom. For example, if the children are building block cities and learning about city planning, an art project to accompany this might be drawing blueprints and city plans. Children could use large pieces of paper, pencils and crayon to design their own communities. Children could create imaginative buildings and three-dimensional structures as their imagination warrants.
Reggio Emilia schools emphasize the natural world. Cut fresh flowers and place them in vases for still life painting projects about color and textures. Mix a few hues ahead of time for the children to experiment with. The still life also coincides with other activities and projects, such as a nature hike or study of botany. Another project with nature uses found seeds, acorn and twigs from walks to create mosaics. Children can gather the materials and place them onto paper or wooden boards to form patterns.
Community is an essential ingredient of the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Children can work together on an art project, such as a mural. If a wall cannot be used, use a large piece of butcher paper, approximately 8 feet long. Tape it to a wall or hallway in the school. Ask the children to come up with several ideas and have the class vote on a design. Use oil pastels or paints for the mural. Another group art project involves a large wooden loom with which the children and teachers weave fabric, ribbons or natural materials. Instruct the students to bring fabrics from home that are important to them and find natural materials on nature walks. The loom project lasts throughout the year as you continually add to it.