Key Stage 1 · ages 5 to 7
Key Stage 1 art and design: what your child learns
In Years 1 and 2, children explore materials and use drawing, painting and sculpture to share their ideas and experiences. They try out colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space, and meet the work of artists, craft makers and designers, comparing what they notice and linking it to their own making. Schools choose the artists and projects, so the focus is on exploring and talking about art.
Guides for parents
Key Stage 1 art and design
Colour and colour mixing
What Year 1 and 2 children learn about colour in art: primary and secondary colours, mixing, light and dark, warm and cool, with a worked example and home ideas.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Comparing artists’ work
How Key Stage 1 children compare the work of artists, craft makers and designers, use the language of art, and link what they see to their own making.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Designing and making products
How Year 1 and 2 children plan, make and talk about a finished piece in art, from sketch to final product, with a worked example, common mistakes and ideas for home.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Drawing ideas and experiences
How Year 1 and 2 children use drawing to share ideas, experiences and imagination, which tools and techniques they meet, common mistakes and simple ways to help at home.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Exploring art materials
How Year 1 and 2 children explore paint, clay, paper, fabric and found objects in art, why play comes first, common worries and easy ways to explore materials at home.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Using form and space
What Key Stage 1 children learn about form and space in art: solid 3D shapes, modelling with clay or dough, near and far in pictures, and ideas to try at home.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Line and shape in art
How Year 1 and 2 children use line and shape in art: types of line, shapes in everyday objects, drawing with them, a worked example, common mistakes and home ideas.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Artists, craft makers and designers
What Key Stage 1 children learn about the work of artists, craft makers and designers: who they are, how schools choose them, and easy ways to explore at home.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Painting ideas and experiences
What Year 1 and 2 children learn about painting: brushes, mixing, mood and imagination, with a worked example, common mistakes and easy, low-mess ideas for home.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Pattern and texture in art
What Year 1 and 2 children learn about pattern and texture in art: repeating patterns, rubbings, printing and collage, with a worked example and ideas to try at home.
Key Stage 1 art and design
Sculpture and 3D art
How Year 1 and 2 children make 3D art with clay, dough, card and found materials: the skills they learn, a worked example, common mistakes and safe ideas for home.
Everything in the Key Stage 1 art and design curriculum
The National Curriculum topics for Key Stage 1, in the order the National Curriculum lists them.