Nice option for those of us that don't have room for a big easel...

[kayte]

I really wanted to get DD the Melissa and Doug easel when it went on sale before Christmas but DH pointed out we have NO where for it to go! So I resisted... But it also made me research for a space saving solution and I found this one.

http://americaneasel.com/ProductImages/kids_table_top.jpg

My Il's ordered it for DD's birthday and it just arrived. It's made really well-very nice construction. PLUS it folds so it fits in the cabinet in the kitchen made for cookie sheets! We have a bay window in the kitchen so we set it up on the window sill and DD (who is 3) has been painting on it constantly for 2 days.

Here are the specs for it from the manufacturer's website. My IL's searched and found it for under $30 on another site.

http://americaneasel.com/childstabletopeasel.aspx

[WatchingThemGrow]

DD (who is 3) has been painting on it constantly for 2 days.

I want instructions on how to make *this* happen. TIA!

[elaineandmichaelsmommy]

Ummmm-not to sound snarky but what's wrong with coloring and painting on the kitchen table? It's where we do our artwork all the time.

[salsah]

Ummmm-not to sound snarky but what's wrong with coloring and painting on the kitchen table? It's where we do our artwork all the time.

that is what we do.

[kayte]

Ummmm-not to sound snarky but what's wrong with coloring and painting on the kitchen table? It's where we do our artwork all the time.

We actually have a dedicated art room in our house. It used to be mine before DD and now we share it. There she has a table and chairs and access to all manner of paints--watercolor, tempra, homemade, etc... And she does paint at her table. Painting on an easel is a different sensory and visual experience. You hold the brush differently. You have a different range of motion standing as opposed to sitting. You look at the paper differently. At a (small) table children have the ability to move to all sides of their painting and see if from different angles, which is a bonus for the table. At an easel they see their artwork upright which lends itself to different interpretations than if it were flat.

There is a long and complete comparison in this book, iirc (I read a lot about children and Art)
http://www.peppinotpress.com.au/content/view/13/29/

And as for Watching Them Grow's comment.... I originally followed the instructions for introducing painting presented in Susan Striker's Young at Art (when we painted at he table and when I taped paper to the front of my dishwasher) and she loves painting. It specifically addresses children who don't seem to like to paint. I don't remember her specific response but I believe it addressed having materials always at the ready... I will look it up later and respond fully.

[kayte]

can you give me that link that where did you find it for under $30.....are you sure that the same thing they are selling...please give that link for me!!!!

I do not know where it was purchased, but if you google the model number and the word easel you get several results all with it priced around 26.00- 29.00, including amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Easel-AE1350-Childs-Table/dp/B000MM49T4/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1233512007&sr=8-11

http://www.furniture-4kids.com/ae-1350.html

http://www.joujoubaby.com/tabletop-easel-p-333.html

Here's one for 19.00-- it has the same picture, part number and description as the American Easel website including the type of wood--so it is the same thing.

http://www.directclassroom.com/chtatopea.html

And for those of you that it matters to--it is made in the US. (and the unfinished fir smells nice when you first open the box)