How We Express Ourselves: Exploring Mediums of Art
As we continue to inquire into “How We Express Ourselves,” the children have been exploring how ideas, feelings, and stories can be shared through different artistic mediums. Over the past week, we revisited materials and techniques we’ve used throughout the year — chalk, watercolor, and markers — to reflect on how each one helps us express ourselves in unique ways.
This exploration invited the children to think deeply about the connection between materials and emotion.
“Watercolor feels soft, like when I’m calm.” – J.
“Markers are loud! They make strong colors.” – L.
“Chalk makes smoke when I rub it. It’s like my picture is moving.” – A.
Watercolor
With watercolor, the children revisited techniques such as blending colors, adding salt for texture, and experimenting with water flow. They observed how the paint moved freely across the paper, sometimes in surprising ways. Many described their paintings as “dreamy” or “peaceful,” noticing how watercolors allowed them to express gentler feelings.
Markers
Markers offered a very different experience — bold lines, clear shapes, and vibrant color. The children enjoyed the control and precision this medium provided, often using it to draw things that are important to them: families, pets, favorite places, and moments of joy. We noticed that their conversations around marker drawings often centered on identity and storytelling.
Chalk
When exploring chalk on black paper, the children were fascinated by the contrast and texture. Smudging and layering colors became a way to express movement and energy. Some said their chalk art reminded them of fireworks, storms, or dancing — powerful imagery that showed how art connects to the rhythms and motions of life.
Through these experiences, the children reflected on what it means to be an artist — someone who makes choices, experiments, and communicates through materials. They are learning that expression can take many forms, and that there is no single “right” way to share an idea or feeling.
To conclude our exploration, we created a small classroom gallery. The children chose one piece to display and shared their thoughts about what it represented. Their reflections revealed not only artistic growth but also a growing awareness of self, emotion, and communication.
“I made this when I was feeling brave.” – P.
“This is my sunshine picture because it makes me happy.” – E.
As educators, it was inspiring to see how revisiting familiar materials through a new lens invited deeper reflection and confidence. The children are beginning to see that art is a language — one that evolves as they do.
