Paper Strip Process Art

It doesn’t take fancy materials or a ton of time to set up a great process art project. This paper strip process art project is one such example! This open-ended project is easy to set up and reinforces important preschool skills. And to top it off, the little artists love it!

Supplies Needed for Paper Strip Process Art

• plain white construction paper
• glue sticks
• scissors
• crayons or markers
• colored construction paper, cut into 1″ strips

This project is really a way to practice scissors and glue stick skills, so be sure to introduce or review the proper use of both items before turning the students loose.

Process art allows children to engage in creative expression that focuses on a student’s exploration and experience than what the final product of their art is. Giving children time to enjoy the creative process is crucial for development.

What IS Process Art?

•  There are no step-by-step instructions.
•  There is no example for children to follow.
•  The art is entirely the children’s own.
•  There is no right or wrong way to explore and create.
•  The art focuses on the experience.
• Art is about the exploration of techniques, tools, and materials.
•  The art is unique and original.
•  The experience is relaxing.
•  The art experience is a child’s choice.

Creativity at Work!

It is really fascinating to see all of the ideas they come up with when given complete freedom to create! Some will choose to create tiny squares of confetti.

Others will embrace the fun of gluing strips to the white paper. This student made an “air conditioner to blow cold air to keep you cool!”

And others will use the paper strips to add to drawings, like in this example where the blue strips became the sky for the drawing of the car.

Some students find other ways to make their art unique. This student found some black construction paper and extended their creation past the edges of the white paper.

This student chose not to be confined to the limits of the white paper rectangle and cut a circle out of it for the center of their snowflake!

Additional Resources

More about Process Art from NAEYC here: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/supporting-development-creativity

A free printable poster about the benefits of process art in the classroom here: https://nurturestore.co.uk/the-benefits-of-process-art-for-children