My First Art Class -- About

The Classes... Child making art with her Dad

My First Art Class is presented in 17 cities throughout the San Francisco Peninsula/South Bay area in California.

We believe that everyone is creative and artistic and all they need is the right environment to thrive. Children are especially free and need that gift nourished. Art is an expression of oneself. If someone is telling you how to do it, where is that self-expression? As adults we have often learned, that there is a right way and a wrong way to approach art. We are told not to make a mess. Well…making a mess is part of the process, sticking the paint brush into the wrong color paint is part of the process and letting go of the final outcome is part of the process. In our classes both child and parent will learn how to express themselves and have a very good time in the process.

Why Do Art?

Fine motor skills are naturally developed with peeling off stickers, holding brushes, crayons and glue paddles.

Attention span naturally increases, since the child chooses where to begin, they are more likely to be engaged for longer periods of time.

Self confidence is built by children experiencing the ability to say “I did it by myself”

Renee Ramsey...
Renee Ramsey creator of My First Art Class and co-author of a book of art experiences for Toddlers and Twos, called "First Art", has taught process-oriented art to toddlers and their parents for over 20 years.

The Book...
When Dana Bowman signed up her twin toddlers for one of Renee's toddler art classes. Renee and Dana shared the same philosophy about art and children. Renee and Dana began to talk about how much a book about art for toddlers and twos was needed. They approached award winning children's author, MaryAnn Kohl about collaborating on just such a book, and so began a great three-way writing friendship with "First Art" as the outcome. We believe that it is "the process not the product that counts" in introducing children to art. "First Art" contains over 80 art experiences for toddlers and two year olds. Chapters are arranged by activities and list materials needed, what the adult needs to do, and how to get the toddler started. But most of all we want to promote the idea that there is no "right" way to approach art and that art is fun. Our book "First Art" is available for purchase here on our website.