Building Independence Through Collage
Is your preschooler struggling with any of the following?
Getting started with play
Needing help making simple choices
Often following others instead of sharing their own ideas
One of my favorite support activities is collage and here’s why:
Every piece of paper, every placement, every material choice is a tiny decision your child gets to practice making. Unlike bigger choices that might feel overwhelming (like picking an outfit or a snack), these small decisions come with zero pressure.
When children freely explore and place materials, they're actually practicing the same skills they need for everyday independence. The best part? There's no "wrong" way to do it. Each choice is a small win, gradually building the confidence they need for bigger decisions.
Base Material: Use any sturdy paper or grab some cardboard off your latest Amazon package. Any surface that can hold glue without tearing works perfectly.
Glue: (any washable glue is fine. I prefer these glue pens because they are great for building fine motor strenght and keep the glue spillage to a minimum.) If glue mess is not your thing, grab some clear contact paper and tape it down with the sticky side facing up and you can avoid glue all together.
Collage Materials: Any scraps or materials you have laying around at home can be used for collage. Magazine clippings, newspaper strips, torn paper, or even colored masking tape.
If you are looking for a list of what we used for our collage, here it is:
FYI: These traits are developmentally appropriate for preschoolers. Hesitation in these areas that you are observing is part of normal development. Children gradually build these executive function skills through experiences, natural development and appropriate support activities.