Emotion is in the Eyebrows

One of my goals for this school year is to have more art instruction. This particular post teaches how a simple change to the eyebrows or mouth implies an entirely new emotion. Here is how it is done:

On the back of a paper plate, draw hair, eyes, nose, and mouth. I chose to go simple so the children could copy easily. Make slightly arched eyebrows at least half an inch above the eye.

(This is where I insert the photo I forgot to take.)

Now, Put a new paper plate over the face and hold it against the window so you can see through the plates. Directly over the original mouth and eyebrows (but on the new plate), draw angry eyebrows and a frown. It may help the child if you trace the hairline also.

Let the child color in the hair (they do not need to draw a new nose or eyes since that will be cut out) while you repeat the process with a third paper plate. This time, draw high, straight eyebrows and a circle mouth.

After your child has embellished as much as they want, you can do the next step.

In a straight line, cut out the eyebrows and the mouths of the last two plates. Stack them on the original plate and staple on one side.

Now you get to play!

Here is surprised . . . or singing.

Just by changing the mouth, you have sad.

Now, change the eyebrows and sad becomes mad.

Mad and yelling . . .

Evil . . .

And, of course, happy and obedient.

My children named their little plate people and had them reacting to life's events all afternoon. Take advantage of showing them how a tiny change, like the lifting of the eyebrows, can change perception, reactions, and meaning. Point it out in cartoons, where it is often exaggerated.

Once you have cued the kids into noticing, they will see eyebrows with artist's eyes.