Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/my-role-in-childrens-art/5027351/
*Photos can be found in the pdf version of this article.
I have heard a lot of discussion in the early childhood profession about what kinds of art experiences I should offer preschool children. Many people advocate for a hands-off approach, where children choose and engage freely with no guidance or limits. On the other end of the debate are adult-planned, prepared, and led projects. Rather than choose one way, I see the power and possibilities of offering both. I want to use my role to support children to gain the spirit and skills of an artist that will serve them throughout their lives.
Open Ended Art Experiences
I strongly believe in the importance of open-ended explorations. I make sure I offer the materials, space, and time for these kinds of art experiences every day. I carefully design my environment with various materials and media for children to freely explore, emphasizing the process rather than any products. Through these experiences, the children come to understand the characteristics and possibilities of a medium or tool. They explore the sensory properties of paint, how it feels on their hands, how they can spread it, mix it, and change it. Clay and dough ...