Paper is the cheapest and most accessible material for art projects. For kindergarteners, using paper to create mosaic projects offers a neat and easy alternative to glass and other textiles. Have students create the image of their mosaic first by drawing a shape, such as a heart or a tree, onto a piece of paper and cutting that image out. Then instruct each student to cut this image into several small pieces. Crafting a paper mosaic is similar to that of a puzzle, therefore each child must use glue and a blank piece of paper for arranging. Ceramic mosaic projects are not uncommon, but they might be a little too difficult for kindergarten-aged children. You would need to provide a way to cut the ceramic, as these children are too young to operate power tools.
While the choice to allow kindergarteners creative freedom with a mosaic project, you might want to limit the subject matter in order to drive focus toward the mosaic creation. A kindergarten mind is still developing, therefore students might spend too much time on the drawing when the project is more about the mosaic. Some possible ideas for kindergarten students are animals, places, landscapes and plant life. This simplifies the color and detail of the mosaic, enhancing the construction process. A piece with more detail might be harder for young children to reconstruct once all the pieces have been cut.
No matter how carefully you explain the mosaic creation process to kindergarten-age children, they still might need some help along the way. Create examples for each child to pass around the classroom, providing a visual representation of the mosaic project. Students who can touch and feel the different parts of this craft project will understand what exactly they are making. If possible, walk the students through each of the steps, instead of just showing them the end result.
Depending on how much time you have allotted for this particular project, you might need to help each of the kindergarten students maximize their work efficiency. Check on students periodically to ensure they are working smart and not wasting a lot of time on image creation or paper mosaic tile placement. Encourage these kindergarteners to stack the cut pieces in an orderly fashion to expedite the arrangement and gluing process. While mosaics mimic puzzles in some aspects, they should not present a challenge for each child.
Once the kindergarteners finish their mosaics, displaying these art pieces is the next step. Paper mosaics can easily be displayed in regular frames, but ceramic projects can support themselves when angled against an object.