Art educators know that creativity flourishes when students are given the freedom to make choices. That’s the foundation of TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) — a nationally recognized approach to art education where “the child is the artist, and the classroom is the child’s studio.”

In a TAB classroom, students explore their own artistic interests through stations, materials, and open-ended projects. Instead of everyone creating the same art piece, learners choose their media, techniques, and subject matter. The teacher’s role shifts to being a facilitator who inspires, supports, and introduces tools, materials, and concepts.

Roylco products are a natural fit for this approach. With their open-ended, versatile designs, they encourage experimentation, problem-solving, and authentic self-expression. Below, we’ll share some Roylco favorites that align beautifully with a TAB studio environment.

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Why Roylco and TAB Work Together

• Choice and Voice: Roylco materials encourage exploration across painting, building, weaving, and mixed-media art.

• Open-Ended Possibilities: No single “right” outcome — perfect for self-directed learning.

• Scaffolded Skill-Building: Materials can be used by beginners while also challenging advanced students.

• Engagement Across Ages and Abilities: Adaptable for elementary classrooms, special education, and enrichment programs.

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We’ve put together a shopping list of basics for every TAB classroom, although these suggestions would probably best support a kindergarten + elementary TAB art room:

 

• Color Diffusing Paper: A perennial favorite in art rooms, this special paper spreads color like watercolor magic. In a TAB painting or printmaking center, students can experiment with markers, liquid watercolors, or spritzers to explore color blending, absorption, and abstract design. No two results are ever the same, which makes it a perfect choice for open-ended art.

• Scissor Skills Paper (SEL Extension): TAB often includes a “cutting and collage” station. Roylco’s Scissor Skills Paper gives students guided practice with cutting while also sparking creativity. As an added SEL extension, students can cut out characters and add their own facial expressions to express emotions through art.

• Weaving Supplies: Fiber arts stations thrive with Roylco weaving products. Rocket Ship Weaving Mats are engaging for younger learners exploring pattern, rhythm, and fine motor skills, while Classroom Weaving Baskets provide a collaborative or individual challenge for students ready to take weaving further. Both options encourage patience, persistence, and experimentation.

• Matisse Collage Shapes: In a collage or mixed-media center, Roylco’s Matisse Collage Shapes are a natural fit. Inspired by the famous artist’s cut-paper style, these vibrant pre-cut shapes encourage students to layer, overlap, and design freely. The bold colors and abstract forms support lessons on composition, balance, and creative risk-taking.

• Rubbing Plates: Texture stations are a popular choice in TAB classrooms, and Roylco’s Rubbing Plates make them both accessible and inspiring. Students can place paper over the plates and use crayons or pastels to reveal patterns, adding depth and interest to their artwork. These plates can be combined with painting, collage, or printmaking for multi-layered projects.

• Take-Home Weather Lacing Cards: In a fiber or fine-motor center, Roylco’s Take-Home Weather Lacing Cards encourage hand-eye coordination and storytelling. Students can lace the colorful weather-themed cards, then incorporate them into mixed-media art or narrative projects. These cards are especially useful for younger artists who are still building dexterity while exploring imaginative themes.

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BONUS: Tips for Art Teachers Using TAB and Roylco Products

1. Set Up Stations: Organize your classroom into centers — painting, fiber arts, sculpture, collage — stocked with Roylco supplies.

2. Model, Then Release: Introduce a product or material, demonstrate techniques, then allow students to take ownership.

3. Encourage Reflection: Ask students to explain their choices and share how they used the materials in new ways.

4. Mix and Match: Many Roylco products layer beautifully — for example, rubbing plate textures underneath Matisse Collage Shapes.

5. Celebrate Process Over Product: Highlight experimentation and discovery, not just the finished work.

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TAB empowers students to become independent, expressive, and confident artists. Roylco products — with their emphasis on creativity, versatility, and play — are a perfect fit for choice-based art classrooms. By combining TAB pedagogy with Roylco materials, teachers can create an environment where every student feels like a true artist.

Ready to stock your TAB studio? Explore Roylco’s full line of innovative art supplies and give your students the freedom to create, experiment, and thrive.