What is Child Art?
Children love art because it's fun and provides them with authentic
self expression: the freedom of choice, thought and feeling. How
important is art in a child's human development? What does a picture
tell us about the child who created it?
Children's art is many things to many people. To a parent, art is a
display of their child's imagination. To an educator, it's a teaching
tool. To a psychologist, art is a way to understand a child's mind. To
a grandparent, it's a way to feel connected. To a librarian, it's a
way to enhance book knowledge. To a child, art is a way to have fun,
make decisions, and express choices.
Picasso wrote "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain
an artist once he grows up." Is children's art an act of genius? Are
children more creative than adults? Perhaps Picasso was simply
impressed by the spontaneity of children's art. Child art, like most
child behavior, is direct and uncensored. A young child doesn't
critique his work - he paints freely and with pleasure, enjoying the
fine and gross motor experience of moving paint over paper and
watching lines, shapes and colors come to life. Art puts a child in
the "driver's seat" and provides freedom: the freedom of choice,
thought and feeling.
Art is a Language
Do you remember seeing a photograph that communicated a whole world of
feeling? Perhaps it was a famous photograph or simply a family
snapshot that captured the richness of a special moment. A picture is
often worth a thousand words. Visual images communicate emotions and
complexities that words cannot. The ability to communicate
non-verbally is particularly important for children. Art is a powerful
tool that gives children the ability to express their thoughts and
emotions long before they can fully express themselves with words.
Once you acknowledge that art is a language, the importance of
respecting a child's artwork becomes obvious. Yet too often adults
praise art before really looking at it, offering routine comments like
"What a pretty picture!" Comments like these can actually be damaging
to a child's self esteem, causing him to feel misunderstood. Pictures
sometimes communicate sad or angry feelings that are not "pretty" at
all. It's far better to view a child's art slowly and with quiet
interest before making any comments. Over time, with authentic and
respectful support from adults, children will use art as way to draw
out real feelings.
What Art is Not
Art is not coloring books or mimeo sheets. Art is not copying or
coloring between the lines. Art is not restrictive. To be art, a work
has to demonstrate individuality. I like to distinguish between "fine
art and applied art" - another way of saying "arts and crafts." Both
fine and applied arts can demonstrate individuality. If a child's
painting or Treasure Box looks like everyone else's, then there's no
creativity or imagination involved. What's the quickest way to tell if
it's art? If a child can't recognize which project is his at the end
of the day, it's not art!
Encouraging Creativity
� Take time with a child's art
� Show respect for the art and the artist's process
� Comment on lines, shapes and colors: "I see you used three colors."
� Show curiosity: "How did you get this effect here?"
� Comment on changes: "You're drawings look bigger these days."
� Ask open ended questions: "Will you tell me about your picture?"
� Provide fuel for creativity: "What other materials do you need?"
� Collect recycled boxes, tubes, lumber scraps. Make 3-D creations
� Provide a variety of drawing, painting and clay materials
� Avoid coloring books
Parent Involvement
How can parents nurture children's creativity at home? Research shows
that parent involvement in their child's education is positively
related to learning and achievement. Art can be a wonderful family
activity. Parents who understand the value of art are more likely to
keep art supplies at home, designate a household area for "messy art,"
and become involved in art themselves. Parents and teachers working
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