Art and Preschoolers

Art promotes… A. Physical growth  By... developing fine motor skill necessary for writing B. Social growth  By... learning responsibility and working with others C. Emotional growth  By... expressing their emotions on paper  I

D. Cognitive growth  By... helping them learn color, texture and development of learning through their senses  tactilly defensive-

Art and Age A. Manipulative period Ages Artwork is experimental because of limited attention span, eye hand coordination and underdeveloped arm muscles  3. Active participation is important  4. Children in this period focus on the process not the product- scribbling is acceptable

Presymbolic  1. Ages 4-7  2. Art work becomes representational- you can begin to identify what it is  3. Interest is in the finished product and the process

Think about it…  We have kids in the manipulative and pre symbolic stage  - who will take longer to do their art projects?- why?

… Identify who would benefit most from the following  Making cars out of wooden blocks  making planets and finger painting them  Drawing a picture of their family

Presymbolic continued  4. Encouragement to follow their own ideas  - do not force them to create things your way  5. Too much correction and demonstration may discourage the preschooler

Techniques for guiding art activities A. Allow child to manipulate within agreed limits B. Observe and give help when needed but do not interfere or do the project C. Ask the child to tell you about his/her work do not tell them about their work  - you may not see what they see D. Do not ask what it is- it may not be anything- that’s ok E. Be sure that the physical environment is comfortable and cheerful

Don’t… - make children perform all art activities - put pressure on the child to be neat - rush the child - judge the art piece - use models - they will want to copy them exactly and won’t be able to - get upset by their creative mess - art is messy

Do… - demonstrate how to use equipment properly -display artwork - tell the child what you like specifically about the picture - I like how the cat is looking at the bird - I like the colors you used - keep the equipment orderly and in good condition - encourage children to clean-up after themselves

Stages of Art skill development A. Scribblers 1. Explanation  zig zags first and then circles 2. Ages- 15 months- 3 years 3. To develop- comment on their movements

Basic forms 1. Explanation  learn and use shapes in their drawings control is important 2. Ages To develop- comment on movement

First Drawings 1. Explanation  create symbols using basic forms 2. Ages To develop- ask them to tell you about their drawing

What stage and age?

What stage? Beginning middle or end?

Merk’s artwork what stage?

What stage and age? Why?

What stage, beginning middle or end?

What stage and why?

Corey’s pirate ship. What stage?

Nicole’s artwork, what stage?