My Family Portrait

Children as young as two are able to hold a crayon or thicker pencil and express themselves through art. Allow freedom of expression as they create self-portraits and/or family portraits.

• Framework: IPC
• Unit: All About Me
• Learning area: Visual and Creative Arts
• Level: Levels 1-3

Objectives

• Express their understanding of family members through art
• Identify themselves and others as individuals in a family unit

Materials

• Images of famous artist's self-portraits and family portraits
• Crayons
• White construction paper

Instructions

Materials

- Thick cardstock paper or heavy construction paper

- Washable tempera paint and chunky brushes

- Assorted multicultural crayons and colored pencils

- Family photographs brought from home

- Glue sticks and safety scissors

- Pre-cut shapes representing different family members

Learning Objectives

- Identify and name immediate family members through visual representation.

- Practice fine motor control by using brushes, crayons, and glue.

- Demonstrate spatial awareness by placing figures on a paper surface.

- Express personal identity through artistic choices and verbal storytelling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather the children in a circle and invite them to share one detail about their family using the provided photographs.

2. Model the activity by drawing a simple portrait of your own family on a large easel, narrating your choices aloud.

3. Distribute the cardstock and ask the children to select colors that represent their family members.

4. Encourage children to draw their family members, focusing on distinct features like hair color or height.

5. Provide the pre-cut shapes for children who need assistance with spatial planning or fine motor support.

6. Guide children to use glue sticks to attach their figures or photographs to the cardstock background.

7. Circulate the room to ask open-ended questions about who the children are drawing and what those people like to do.

8. Allow the portraits to dry in a designated area before displaying them at the children's eye level.

9. Invite each child to present their portrait to a peer, fostering communication and social connection.

Educator Tip

If a child expresses distress regarding their family structure, focus the conversation on the people who care for them most. Provide extra collage materials like fabric scraps or yarn to help children represent the unique textures and personalities of their loved ones.

Assessment

- Observe the child's ability to identify family members during the drawing process.

- Note the child's fine motor progress in gripping tools and applying glue.

- Record the child's verbal explanation of their portrait to assess their understanding of family roles.

Educator tip

Let children choose their colors and compositions freely; this supports self-identity and creativity.

Assessment

Observe if the child is able to identify and represent family members and express individuality through drawing.

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