Cutting projects help train the muscles of the hand. Creating flowers from a paper cup is perfect for the entry-level cutter. Gather a paper Dixie cup, a pair of scissors, one piece of blue paper, green paper cut into leaves and stems and glue for each student. Show the children how to cut slits into the cup starting at the top and working towards the base. Have them cut slits all around the outside of the cup. Next, smash the cups to form a flower, with the base being the flower's center. To complete the project, ask each student glue the flower to the blue paper and add the stem and leaves.
Sewing helps to develop the hand-eye coordination needed for trickier activities. Making a necklace out of a drinking straw is a craft that integrates both cutting and sewing. For each child you will need one plastic drinking straw and one 12-inch piece of yarn with tape wrapped around one end to form a needle. Have each student cut the straw crosswise into sections. The sections can be all the same length or different lengths, depending on each child's vision. Demonstrate how to string the straw sections together by inserting the needle end of the yarn through all of the pieces. End by tying the yarn in a knot to create a necklace.
Paint spreading allows children to learn about different techniques for artistic expression, while following directions and interacting with peers. For each student you will need one piece of light-colored construction paper, one piece of wax paper, six Dixie cups filled with different color paint, spoons to scoop the paint, one Popsicle stick and masking tape. Place one piece of construction paper in front of each child. Ask them to scoop different colors of paint into different patterns on the paper. Cover each child's work with a piece of transparent wax paper and tape the corners to the table. Ask each child to spread the paint by using the long side of the Popsicle stick. To finish, have them remove the wax paper from their work of art and hang to dry.
Making an ocean scene incorporates all beginner art skills such as drawing, painting, cutting and gluing. Present each student with gummy sharks, gold fish crackers, one piece of blue construction paper, green tissue paper, crayons (or paints and paintbrushes) and a glue stick. Ask the children to draw or paint sea animals onto their blue construction paper. Next, have them cut the tissue paper into strips to make seaweed. Finally, using the glue, allow them to decorate their scene with the seaweed strips, sharks and gold fish. While the projects are drying, ask each child to present her piece and the creations in it.