I saw this for the first time in a preschool in San Francisco.  It was an arts integrated preschool and was so filled with creative opportunities for young children.  They had an art center that held a variety of materials for making art. It a free choice center in my classroom.

Things I have put in the buckets:

• foam stickers
• fancy scissors with decorative edges
• tracers
• rubbing plates
• pages from old books
• pages from old calendars
• beads
• paper tiles and squares
• construction paper scraps
• copy paper
• markers
• old photos
• old slides
• pine cones, sticks and other nature items
• the possibilities are endless!

Here is a great little bit about some of the many benefits of including the arts in education.

About the Benefits of Arts Education for Children
Benefits of Arts EducationSource: Americans for the Arts, 2002

• Stimulates and develops the imagination and critical thinking, and refines cognitive and creative skills.
• Has a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the “learning field” across socio-economic boundaries.
• Strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
• Develops a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
• Teaches children life skills such as developing an informed perception; articulating a vision; learning to solve problems and make decisions; building self-confidence and self-discipline; developing the ability to imagine what might be; and accepting responsibility to complete tasks from start to finish.
• Nurtures important values, including team-building skills; respecting alternative viewpoints; and appreciating and being aware of different cultures and traditions.

Furthermore, according to the Americans for the Arts, children who are involed in the arts for at least three hours/three days a week for at least one full year are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
• 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

For more information check out this web site:  Americans For the Arts