NAEYC has written a great article about process art experiences. I have edited the content to show the benefits of process art.  The whole article is here.  http://www.naeyc.org/tyc/article/process-art-experiences

Many of us still look for “cute” projects. Cute is usually not art, it is craft and product based. Pinterest has made it easy to find product oriented “cute” projects. One needs to understand the difference between process and product art and use that knowledge when offering art experiences to young children. There are many ideas online however don’t be fooled by posts that come up with the heading process art but are product art in disguise!

The following is about process art as summed up by NAEYC.

Characteristics of process-focused art experience

• There are no step-by-step instructions
  • There is no sample for children to follow
  • There is no right or wrong way to explore and create
  • The art is focused on the experience and on exploration of techniques, tools, and materials
  • The art is unique and original
  • The experience is relaxing or calming
  • The art is entirely the children’s own
  • The art experience is a child’s choice
  • Ideas are not readily available online

What children might say

“Look what I made!” “I’m going to do another!”
“Can I have more time?”

Provide open-ended, creative art experiences by offering activities such as

• Easel painting with a variety of paints and paintbrushes (with no directions)
• Watercolor painting
• Exploring and creating with clay
• Finger painting
• Painting with unusual tools like toothbrushes, paint rollers, potato mashers
• Printing and stamping (stamps purchased or made with sponges)
• Creating spin art using a record player and paint, squirt bottles, paintbrushes, or markers
• Stringing beads independently and creatively
• Weaving cloth, yarn, or paper
• Drawing with pencils, art pens, various sizes of markers, or crayons
• Using homemade doughs
• Making collages using tissue paper, various sizes of paper, glue, paste, glue sticks, scissors, and recycled materials

Tips for leading process-focused art

1. Approach art like open-ended play—for example, provide a variety of materials and see what happens as the child leads the art experience
   2. Make art a joyful experience. Let children use more paint, more colors, and make more and more artwork
   3. Provide plenty of time for children to carry out their plans and explorations
   4. Let children come and go from their art at will
   5. Notice and comment on what you see: Look at all the yellow dots you painted
   6. Say YES to children’s ideas
   7. Offer new and interesting materials
   8. Play music in the background
   9. Take art materials outside in the natural light
   10. Display children’s books with artful illustrations, such as those by Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, and Javaka Steptoe
   11. Let the children choose whether their art goes home or stays in the classroom
   12. Remember that it’s the children’s art, not yours

What children do and learn through process-focused art

Social and emotional 

Children relax, focus, feel successful, and can express their feelings

Language and literacy

Children may choose to discuss their art and add print to it (on their own or by dictating to a teacher)

Cognitive

Children compare, predict, plan, and problem solve

Physical

Children use small motor skills to paint, write, glue, use clay, and make collages

Full article is here: http://www.naeyc.org/tyc/article/process-art-experiences