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Author and art educator Maryann Kohl writes, “Children express themselves through art on a fundamental level. Sometimes their artwork is the manifestation of that expression, but more often, the physical process of creating is the expression… Creating art allows children to work through feelings and emotions, and referring to a finished piece of artwork helps a child talk about feelings in a new and meaningful way. Art also develops a child’s creativity. Rather than being told what to do, answers and directions come from the child. Art is an experience that requires free-thinking, experimentation, and analysis — all part of creativity.”

The adult’s approach in offering such opportunities is key to unleashing the learning and growth that can unfold through art. “At the heart of the art experience is the respect and confidence given children as curious learners. These are learners, not unlike artists, who ask questions, explore, compose, and construct with materials and media to understand themselves and their world,” according to Patricia Pinciotti, in an article underlying the Out of the Box training “A Thinking Approach to Art.”

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