The
Value of Art for the Preschool
By C. Seefeldt|B.A. Wasik
Art is basic. Of course, every subject area
is important, but no program for young children could succeed without
emphasizing art. Through making, looking at, and talking about their own
artwork and the art of others, three-, four-, and five-year-old children are
doing the following:
Expressing their
feelings and emotions in a safe way. They learn to control their emotions and
recognize that they can express and handle negative as well as joyous feelings
through positive action.
Practicing and gaining fine muscle control
and strengthening eye-hand motor coordination. By holding paintbrushes and
learning how to control paint, crayons, scissors, and other art tools, children
gain the skills necessary for later writing activities as well as a feeling of
control over themselves and their world.
Developing
perceptual abilities. Awareness of colors, shapes, forms, lines, and textures
result as children observe these and try to replicate them through art.
Being given the
opportunity to make choices and solve problems. How do you get the legs to
stick on a clay figure? What color should I use? Making art offers children a
multitude of choices and many decisions to make.
Seeing that others
have differing points of view and ways of expressing these than they do.
Comparing children’s drawings, paintings, or models gives children concrete,
dramatic examples of how different people express the same thing in different
ways. While learning that their way is not the only way, they learn to value
diversity (Strasser, 2001).
Becoming aware of
the idea that, through art, culture is transmitted. Becoming acquainted with
the art of the past, children are involved in learning something of their
origins and themselves.
Experiencing
success. Because art leaves the end open to the creator, all children
experience a measure of success. This is why art activities are appropriate for
children with special needs. Regardless of the physical or mental need of the
child, there is some art media and activity through which he or she can
experience success.
Making connections
between the visual arts and other disciplines. Art integrates the curriculum.
Content from every subject matter can find form through art.
Mathematics. Children become aware of
different sizes, shapes, and parallel lines and use every mathematical concept
as they discuss their art and the art of others.
Science. Paint changes texture as it dries,
powdered paint and chalk dissolve in water, and chalk produces bubbles when
dipped in water. Also, paints change color when they are mixed together. The
physical sciences are ever present as children produce art.
Economics. This and other concepts from the
social studies develop. Children become producers by making art and consumers
by using the materials of art.
Language. Children learn to talk about their
art and the art of others and develop the vocabulary of art.
Beginning reading. Children make and read
symbols that represent reality.
Social skills. By sharing paints and paper,
cooperating to create a group mural or other project, and assuming
responsibility for cleaning up, children gain valuable social skills through
making art.
