Mindful Monday’s
Ages 8 - 11
Class Description
Mindful Mondays: Calm Art for 8–11 Year Olds
A gentle after-school art space for thoughtful young creatives
Mindful Mondays is a calm after-school art class designed for children who do best in quiet, gentle environments. The class offers a chance to slow down after a busy school day and enjoy making art without pressure, rush, or performance. It’s also a screen-free activity that supports focus, regulation and creativity.
Each week, children take part in process-based artmaking, exploring a range of materials such as drawing, collage, clay, simple printmaking, mixed media and occasional nature-inspired projects. The emphasis is on the experience of creating — experimenting, problem-solving and enjoying the process — rather than working toward a specific finished outcome (though completed artworks may naturally emerge).
The studio is set up to feel calm and supportive, with quiet music, thoughtfully chosen materials and gentle guidance. Projects are introduced with clear structure, while still allowing children the freedom to follow their own ideas and work at their own pace.
Class Structure
Arrival & Settling Activity (5–10 minutes)
Children arrive into a calm space and begin with a simple drawing or making activity to transition from their school day.
Short Mindful Moment (2–3 minutes)
A brief, age-appropriate pause to help children arrive and focus — for example a sensory check-in, noticing colours, or a quiet breathing activity.
Creative Art Time (40–45 minutes)
Children work on a process-based project, such as:
Drawing or sketching (sometimes from nature or everyday objects)
Collage using curated materials
Clay or soft sculpting
Mixed media or simple printmaking
Some projects may continue over multiple weeks, while others are open explorations of materials with no expectation of a finished piece.
Examples of activities include:
Mosaics
Mandala-style designs
Artworks using natural materials
Outdoor sketching in the garden
Expressive painting with music
Reflection (5 minutes)
A short, optional opportunity for children to reflect on their process or share their work if they wish.
Who This Class Is a Good Fit For
Mindful Mondays is a wonderful fit for children who:
• enjoy calm, quiet, creative spaces
• are thoughtful, sensitive, reflective or imaginative
• feel most at ease in small, gentle groups
• prefer slow-paced, softly spoken environments
• love exploring art materials and making things with their hands
• appreciate creative freedom without pressure or competition
This class is intentionally calm, quiet, and softly paced.
If your child enjoys creative spaces like this, they will feel very at home here.
Our Values
We believe that each child is an artist who holds their own unique creative gifts. Our purpose is to nurture, encourage, and support our young artists along their creative journey. We do this by creating an open, warm, safe and welcoming environment. We prioritize joy in everything we do, and strive to create engaging, uplifting, stimulating and inspiring lessons. We believe there is no one size fits all approach to learning and are dedicated to practicing presence and empathy, to ensure we are providing each child with the support they need. Ultimately we believe in the power of art as a means of personal expression, means of connection and most importantly FUN!
Term 1, 2026 Weekly Classes
Monday
Dates: Monday 2nd of March – Monday 30th of March 2026
Time: 4 00 pm - 5 00 pm
Number of Weeks: 9
Term Fee: $360
Teacher: Marianna
Location: 85 Gillies Street, Fairfield (Next door to The Uniting Church in Fairfield, please enter via the side gate on Gillies Street) Google Maps Exact Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PyJM4VJZuZ4SfBrX6