If you are employed in a state that uses a registry to track professional development hours, you will be able to provide your registry ID (Stars, MOPID, Registry or other ECE ID#) after you have completed the quiz for the course. If you pass the quiz we will report your course completion to the state registry using the registry ID that you provide.

Discover how to create engaging, developmentally appropriate art and writing centers for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. In this online, self-paced course, early childhood professionals will explore how to select age-appropriate materials, teach children to use tools safely and effectively, support pincer grasp development, and understand the difference between process and product art. Through practical examples, activities, and tips, participants will gain strategies to design creative learning environments that strengthen fine motor, literacy, and artistic development. Course length  – 1.5 hours.

The course answers the following questions:

• What are the best materials to go into the art center for my age group?

• What are the best materials to into the writing center for my age group?

• When is it good to combine the centers or keep them separate?

• At what age should scissors be introduced?

• Does it matter what kind of scissors I use?

• How can you teach the pincer grasp?

• What does product vs process mean?

• What are some educational and engaging activities in these centers for my age group?

Participants who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify and describe at least five age-appropriate materials for art centers and five age-appropriate materials for writing centers for a selected age group.

• Explain at least three strategies for teaching children to use art and writing materials safely and effectively.

• Identify and describe at least three activities that support the development of the pincer grasp and other fine motor skills.

• Compare process art and product art by identifying at least three characteristics of each and explaining one benefit of process art for child development.

• Create a plan for an art and writing center that includes age-appropriate materials, tool introduction (including scissors), and at least two engaging learning activities for their chosen age group.