Art and Creativity

Jessica George – Early Childhood

Education 1A
Learning Objective:

 Demonstrate knowledge of creative arts activities

(i.e. the four stages of art 1) Scribbling 2) Pre-
schematic 3) Schematic 4) Realism)
 Arts versus Crafts:
 Creative art is the act of putting something together in a new
and different way.
 Paint, draw, mold, construct, create, etc.

 Opportunity for children to explore without a goal or sample of

what the product should look like.
 Child Directed and Teacher Supported

 Child is given the supplies and told an idea and then given the
freedom to create.
 Arts versus Crafts:
 Crafts are closed ended

 Children reproduce something that is similar or exactly the

same as what they have seen.

 They are shown an end result and told what materials to use,
what to do, and how to do it.
 Teacher Directed

 Child wants their product to look like the one you showed
instead of creating their own.
What is creativity?
Creativity:
Children are often very
creative; however we
sometimes teach children
that being creative is
unacceptable.
Elaboration is the ability to
expand on ideas.
Creativity:

Originality: ability to create unique, clever

responses.
Problem Solving: ability to sense solutions to
problems.
Fluency: the ability to produce numerous ideas,
words, symbols, and relationships.
What can art do for children?
What can art do for children?

① A means to express self interest, perceptions,

feelings, and style.
② Encourage complex thinking by allowing the
children to focus on creating their own ideas.
③ Shows the uniqueness of the child’s identity.
What can art do for children?
① Develops positive self concept and
a sense of accomplishment.
 Visual thinking tracks growth in areas of
development like physical and cognitive
development

 Helps to develop fine motor skills and

hand eye coordination
Setting Up the Art Center
Setting Up the Art Center:

① Organization of the area affects the kids ability for

inspiration, creativity, and self expression. Near a sink or
water source, provide a place to display work.

② Wet art activities include painting, molding, and shaping

in different mediums.

③ Dry art activities include drawing and constructing

different mediums.
Teaching Art to Children
Guideline #1: Children should do their own work.

 No lessons, just let them develop their own creativity.

 Avoid the use of models and patterns.

 Avoid constant adult interference, supervision, and

control.

 Expect a mess, but allow the children to help clean up.

 It is the process not the product that is important.

Guideline #2: Tolerate differences.

 Each child should feel that their art is taken seriously,

understood, commented on, and appreciated.

 Don’t judge or inhibit spontaneous expression.

 Encourage children to use materials in different ways.

 Get excited about their discoveries and share your own

discoveries too.
Guideline #3: Respond to their work.

 Support and encourage by responding appropriately to

their words, their actions, the process, and the product
using specific responses, positive reinforcement, and
comments.
Guideline #3: Respond to their work.

 Praise especially when it is false can hurt, hinder, and

stop the work taking place.

 Comment on what you are looking at or seeing the child

doing.

 Ask open ended questions (the 5 W’s).

Guideline #4: Inspire perseverance.

 Encourage the children to see their product through till

the end.

 Never interrupt a child deeply involved in their work.

Stages of Art
Stage 1 – Scribbling
 Happens between 1 and 2 years old

 Random marks, dots, and lines on the

page

 Manipulates the drawing tool with little or

no concern

 Don’t buy coloring books at this age,

instead give them fat crayons and blank
paper
Stage 2 – Pre-Schematic
 Happens between 2 and 4 years old

 Drawings become more complex, but still

unrealistic

 Children use their favorite colors

 Drawings of people are simple

 Objects in drawings float, they are not

anchored
Stage 3 – Schematic

 Happens between 5 – 8 years old

 Drawings become more proportional and

more detailed

 Colors become more realistic and

stereotypical

 Shows emotions

 Girls draw different things than boys

Stage 4 – Realism

 9 years and older

 Control over medium, content, and

organization is evident

 The figures become detailed, natural in

appearance, or intentionally stylized

 It is at this stage that they child becomes

critical and self conscious about their ability
to create art work.