Art Tools for Infants
2025-07-09 23:46:20

Innovative Art Tools for Infants: New Project Launches on Crowdfunding

Innovative Art Tools for Infants: A New Begining



On June 8, 2025, Porque ART, directed by Maaya Miki, will kick off an exciting crowdfunding initiative on For Good (operated by Borderless Japan) aimed at developing new art materials designed to foster the "inquisitive spirit" and "expressive ability" in infants. This pioneering project will run until July 31, 2025 (Project ID: 1001874), marking a significant challenge to enhance creativity and exploration in young children from the age of zero.

Background and Purpose


In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the importance of fostering "self-directed learning and experimentation" in early childhood education. However, existing art supplies and tools have not adequately met this need, relying heavily on pre-war Meiji-era educational philosophies. An example of this is the traditional "brush-washing machine" used during painting activities.

Before focusing on drawing, children display curiosity about the characteristics of the materials themselves. By engaging their senses, they enrich their expressions later on. For instance, children are often intrigued by changes in colored water, but yellow materials can obscure these observations. The prevalent yellow plastic basins offered by major educational supply catalogs hardly provide variety, resulting in educators nationwide sourcing appropriate tools independently. This lack of standardized resources creates a burden on schools and delays consistency in early childhood education.

In response to these challenges, this project aims to design art supplies that are intuitively usable by toddlers, enabling them to delight in the process of creation while answering their natural curiosity.

Project Overview


The crowdfunding will run from June 8, 2025, to July 31, 2025, with the first goal set at ¥983,794. The objective is to utilize transparent materials (tempered glass or resin) to create two new tools: the "Watercup" and the "Cup," which will be validated through user workshops and training sessions at specialty institutions.

Watercup: This innovative design allows two-year-olds to scoop and carry the right amount of water, with its transparent nature making it easier to observe the color changes and movements of water. It includes a brush holder feature, is easy to clean, and is stackable.

Cup: A user-friendly paint dish designed for toddlers, it also serves as a display fixture. It comes with a lid for easy storage, crafted from clear materials to encourage observation.

Call for Support and Future Outlook


The project is currently open for support, aiming for the first goal of ¥1 million. Contributions will cover prototype material costs, manufacturing expenses, and costs associated with workshops and training. Sharing information and feedback is also invaluable to the project’s success.

Comments from the Project Lead


Maaya Miki, as a contemporary artist, has been involved in supporting children's "exploration" and "expression" for over eight years. Witnessing the innocence of children’s expressions and their vibrant joy reminds her of the essential role of art in human life. Despite a growing interest in art education, the environment for early childhood art hasn’t evolved significantly since the Meiji era, raising awareness of a longstanding issue affecting modern Japanese art.

Miki expresses her frustration at having to stop children's vibrant explorations due to adults’ lack of preparation. This contradicts the current educational philosophy emphasizing child-led play and learning. She hopes to draw more attention to this pressing issue and contribute to a transformation in early childhood creativity.

For More Details and Support


Visit the project page for further information and support: For Good Project Page

For interviews and inquiries:
Porque ART
Director: Maaya Miki
Email: maaya.miki@gmail.com


画像1

画像2

画像3

画像4

画像5

画像6

Topics People & Culture)

【About Using Articles】

You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.

【About Links】

Links are free to use.