Age Group: Birth to 2 Years

Lesson 1: Exploring Textures and Colours

Learning Objectives:

• Develop sensory awareness through tactile exploration of materials.
• Introduce basic colours and textures using safe, non-toxic materials.
• Encourage expressive gestures and vocalisations to communicate discoveries.

Northern Territory Curriculum Alignment:

• This lesson aligns with the Learning Area: The Arts, focusing on sensory play to develop arts processes and skills (AC9AVAFD01_E1).
• Encourages use of play and imagination to discover possibilities (AC9ADAFD01_E1).

Materials:

• Soft brushes, sponges, fabric scraps, textured balls.
• Safe finger paints in primary colours.
• Large sheets of paper.

Activities:

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (2 minutes): Greet the children with a simple song about colours and touch.
2. Sensory Play (7 minutes): Invite children to explore various textures by touching different objects and finger painting on large paper, encouraging their vocal responses.
3. Colour Exploration (5 minutes): Guide the children to use fingers and sponges to apply colours on paper, focusing on mixing and sensory feedback.
4. Cool Down & Share (1 minute): Gather to observe the painted colours and textures, modelling language such as "soft," "rough," "red," and "blue."

Assessment:

• Teacher observes children’s engagement with materials and their reactions to textures and colours.
• Record any vocalisations or gestures to communicate experiences.

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Lesson 2: Movement and Mark-making

Learning Objectives:

• Encourage body movement and expression as forms of art.
• Develop fine motor skills through guided mark-making.
• Foster curiosity and enjoyment in arts processes.

Northern Territory Curriculum Alignment:

• Supports use of movement to communicate tactile qualities (AC9ADAFD01_E1).
• Encourages exploration of voice and movement to express feelings (AC9AMUFD01_E7).

Materials:

• Large paper rolls taped to the floor or walls.
• Large crayons or chunky chalks.
• Scarves or ribbons for movement.

Activities:

1. Introductory Movement (3 minutes): Play music and invite children to move scarves or ribbons in the space, experimenting with different motions.
2. Mark-making Exploration (9 minutes): Assist children to make marks on paper using crayons/chalks; encourage repetition and diverse strokes.
3. Group Reflection (3 minutes): Sit as a group and look at the marks; talk about lines, shapes, and the movements that made them.
4. Closing Song (1 minute): Sing a goodbye song reinforcing colours and movement.

Assessment:

• Observe children’s ability to make marks and their engagement with movement.
• Note development in motor skills and expressive behaviour.

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Expressive Play

Age Group: Preschool (3-5 Years)

Lesson 1: Colour Mixing Magic

Learning Objectives:

• Experiment with mixing primary colours to create secondary colours.
• Understand colour relationships and express creativity.
• Use appropriate art vocabulary to describe processes and outcomes.

Northern Territory Curriculum Alignment:

• Supports exploration of colours and lines in environment and artwork (AC9AVAFD01_E3).
• Encourages using visual arts processes and materials to create artworks (AC9AVA2C01).

Materials:

• Primary coloured paints.
• Paint trays, brushes, and paper.
• Protective smocks, smocks.

Activities:

1. Introduction (3 minutes): Discuss primary and secondary colours with visual aids; demonstrate mixing.
2. Colour Mixing Activity (8 minutes): Children mix paints to discover new colours on paper.
3. Discussion & Share (3 minutes): Invite children to describe their colours and how they made them.
4. Clean-up (1 minute): Guide children to tidy work areas.

Assessment:

• Observe children’s ability to mix and identify colours.
• Listen for use of colour descriptors and explanations.

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Lesson 2: Texture Collage Creations

Learning Objectives:

• Experiment with a variety of textures using natural and found materials.
• Develop fine motor skills through cutting, tearing, and gluing.
• Express ideas visually through collage.

Northern Territory Curriculum Alignment:

• Encourages playing with natural and constructed materials to explore texture (AC9AVA2D01_E1).
• Supports using combinations of materials and processes to create artworks (AC9AVA2C01_E5).

Materials:

• Leaves, bark, fabric scraps, textured paper.
• Glue sticks, child-safe scissors, large paper base.
• Magnifying glasses for close observation.

Activities:

1. Exploration Discussion (2 minutes): Talk about texture and materials children can use.
2. Texture Hunt (5 minutes): Children explore natural materials with magnifying glasses.
3. Collage Creation (7 minutes): Create a textured collage using gathered materials.
4. Gallery Walk & Talk (1 minute): Display collages for group viewing; discuss different textures noticed.

Assessment:

• Note children’s exploration of different textures.
• Observe use of motor skills and material manipulation.

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Notes for Teachers:

• Always ensure materials are safe and non-toxic for the age group.
• Maintain small group sizes during hands-on activities if needed.
• Use positive language and encourage children's expression and experimentation.
• Incorporate songs and movement to maintain engagement and support learning.

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This set of lessons reflects key outcomes of the Northern Territory Curriculum by fostering sensory experiences, creativity, and communication through the arts using play, imagination, and arts knowledge typical for very young and preschool children .