Sometimes a Smudge is Sometimes a Smudge is just a Smudge….just a Smudge….

Sometimes a Smudge is Sometimes a Smudge is just a Smudge….just a Smudge….

But Sometimes But Sometimes It’s A Saber-It’s A Saber-Tooth Tiger!!Tooth Tiger!!Georgia CTAE Resource Network

Instructional Resources Office

July 2009

It’s About the Learning Process

• What’s really important is what the child learns while he creates his/her artwork

• We all may look at the same thing but come up with different interpretations of want we see

• There are many solutions to challenges or problems

• Uniqueness is good• There is no right or wrong way to create art

Grownups Role in Inspiring Creativity

• Provide art supplies and materials for the child• Create space for the child to create• Demonstrate techniques (do not do the art for

the child)• Teach children how to use materials properly• Encourage the process of art• Respect and validate a child’s efforts• Value the child’s art – display it in an honored

place

Talk to the child about what he/she is doing

• Describe what you see: “I see that you used red here.”

• Talk about the child’s actions: “Some of your lines go up and down.”

• Ask about the process: “How did you make that color?”

• Ask open-ended questions: “What else can you do to your picture?”

• Encourage and support: “You worked a long time on your picture.”

www.americansforthearts.com

Americans for the Arts reports that young people who consistently participate in wide-ranging arts are:

• 4x more likely to be recognized for academic achievement

• 3x more likely to be elected to class office within their schools

• 4x more likely to participate in a math and science fair

• 4x more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Short term benefits are impressive as well!

• Learn to find solutions to problems or challenges

• Improve fine motor skills• Experiment and take chances• Develop a richer vocabulary• Appreciate art from different perspectives • Develop a freedom to express ideas and

feelings through color, line, shape, and form

Preschoolers ~ 3 to 4 yearsSample art activities that

promote learning:• Help children develop language skills by

reciting poems and finger plays.• Number skills are developed through music

(counting rhythm and beats when playing a musical instrument).

• Dance helps to build motor control, body relationships, and directionality.

• Spatial acuity is developed through drawing, sculpting, and other visual arts.

• Social skills are encouraged by group activities such as learning dance steps or singing songs.

What adults and children can do

together in the arts:• Pantomime characters from books read with children• Imitate movements made by objects (such as cars)• Construct collages using paper, glue, scissors, and

magazine cut outs• Hum tunes to familiar songs and allow children to add

the lyrics that go with the melody• Allow children to observe themselves in them mirror

while dancing or acting out a story• Take small groups of children to interactive

performances and exhibits

Resources• Abrakadoodle Art Education

www.abrakadoodle.com• Beyond the Journal, Young

Children on the web, July 2004• Arts Education Partnership

http://aep-arts.org