Childhood and Area
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
ART
If you are the art area parent, it is very important for you to be on time. An important part of our school day is greeting each child at the door. If the art area parent is late, often the teacher must be in that area and cannot be at the door to greet the children. Also, many children run in and immediately want to do art.
Children enjoy the process-- the doing-- experimenting with the art activity. The end product is not the important part of the activity. The children are encouraged to do their own art. Our concern is for joy, development, cognitive growth, and discovery, not the finished product. Even if you know a little red here and a little blue there would look great, remember that the art belongs to the child.
There is a suggested activity each class, but children aren't limited to just that. They may get more paints when they are not out, they may want to elaborate on an activity, or have their own ideas. This is great! All of the equipment on the open shelve are theirs to use as they please.
Although the art area may be considered messy by adults, please refrain from using the expression, "messy", as it may discourage a child from participating. It is a wonderful area to observe a child's growth and joy.
Do not make a model for a child. There must be no adult standards on children's art. Think how many of you would be comfortable painting or drawing if Pablo Picasso was drawing or painting right beside you.
If a child asks, "Do you like my painting?", say "Do you like it?". It is not important how we, as adults, feel about the child's art, but how the child feels about their art. If you must say something, be specific: "You used every color," or you can pick up the painting, stand back a bit and say, "What do you think?" while holding it up for them to look over. Encourage the child observing the paint area by saying "You may paint next," but don't pressure the observer. At first they may
ART
If you are the art area parent, it is very important for you to be on time. An important part of our school day is greeting each child at the door. If the art area parent is late, often the teacher must be in that area and cannot be at the door to greet the children. Also, many children run in and immediately want to do art.
Children enjoy the process-- the doing-- experimenting with the art activity. The end product is not the important part of the activity. The children are encouraged to do their own art. Our concern is for joy, development, cognitive growth, and discovery, not the finished product. Even if you know a little red here and a little blue there would look great, remember that the art belongs to the child.
There is a suggested activity each class, but children aren't limited to just that. They may get more paints when they are not out, they may want to elaborate on an activity, or have their own ideas. This is great! All of the equipment on the open shelve are theirs to use as they please.
Although the art area may be considered messy by adults, please refrain from using the expression, "messy", as it may discourage a child from participating. It is a wonderful area to observe a child's growth and joy.
Do not make a model for a child. There must be no adult standards on children's art. Think how many of you would be comfortable painting or drawing if Pablo Picasso was drawing or painting right beside you.
If a child asks, "Do you like my painting?", say "Do you like it?". It is not important how we, as adults, feel about the child's art, but how the child feels about their art. If you must say something, be specific: "You used every color," or you can pick up the painting, stand back a bit and say, "What do you think?" while holding it up for them to look over. Encourage the child observing the paint area by saying "You may paint next," but don't pressure the observer. At first they may