The Importance of Being an Artist
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
— Pablo Picasso
It starts with a scribble. Paper mangled, sometimes ripped, and big windmill motions with a crayon that may take out an eye if you get too close. It grows into circles and squiggles, paintbrushes clutched in little hands and markers that caps never seem to cover all the way. And before you know it, it becomes self-portraits, pictures of vacation, and explorations to the moon.
Art is a crucial part of development, as important as math or literacy. Art is a magical place where we can strengthen our hand muscles, explore our environment, and expand our thinking, all while having fun and creating something to be proud of.
It Starts with a Scribble
By the age of one, most children are ready to start exploring art supplies. While working on their hand strength and palmar grasp, we begin to see children jabbing at the paper and practicing moving the materials the way they want to. But art is more than just a scribble. Art can be used to explore sensory materials, such as gluing pom poms to a piece of paper or finger painting. Art can encourage sorting skills, letting children group materials by size or by color.
Process versus Product Art
There are different kinds of art in a childcare setting. Product art is art that is made to all look the same. This kind of art can be a helpful tool in our older preschool classes as they practice following directions. It can also help teachers assess specific fine motor skills, such as name writing or scissor skills.
However, almost all art at Celebree School of Franklin Cool Springs is process art. Process art is exactly as it sounds, all about the process. We give children open-ended art projects. Examples may be talking about snowy weather and giving children different “snow” like materials: white paint, crayons, stamps, and chalk. Then we allow the children to make their own “snow storm”. Some children may only color a single flake, while others will design a blizzard that freezes the world. All of them will be inspired and beautiful.
The Glow of an Artist
Art is a critical part of every classroom’s decoration. Teachers are encouraged to display art in all areas of their classroom, especially down low, where children can see it for themselves. There is no greater feeling than hearing a child say, “That one is MINE!” Children should always be encouraged to feel proud of what they do. Every child’s art deserves a spot of honor. Art is rotated and sent home regularly so parents can see what their child is working on. Every month, our classrooms update their hallway bulletin boards with children’s projects for all the school to see. Pride in themselves leads to lifelong confidence.
Art is at our Heart
“Art is not a frill; it’s an essential part of brain development.”
— Dr. Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University
Art is a connection. Art helps cement learning concepts by putting them directly in children’s hands. Art is motor skills, helping children develop all the muscles they need to write their name on that first piece of homework. Art is confidence and an outlet for processing emotions.
At Celebree School of Franklin Cool Springs, art is one of the most important things we do.
