Early Childhood Education Process vs. Product Art

Bellwork Spectrum: Think about the following quote from Pablo Picasso: Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. What was Picasso trying to say? Do you agree or disagree? Stand up and move to rank your opinion on the continuum and be ready to provide justification for your placement. Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Objectives By the end of the period, you will be able to: Define terminology List characteristics of process art and product art. Distinguish between examples of process art and product art. Describe the importance of process art. Provide examples of process art. Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Terminology Product Art – Product based art includes art activities and lessons that will have a specific finished result. These types of projects often look very similar from child to child and do not encourage creativity or artistic exploration. Process Art - Emphasizes the process vs. end product, art that does not have a ‘right way’ or a ‘wrong way’, every child’s piece original and unique, does not require a great deal of teacher preparation or assistance, child express his/her own ideas and feelings, child directed and initiated. Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Characteristics of Process Art Unstructured, open-ended activities with no pre-determined goal Process-oriented activities with no clear beginning, middle, or end Use a variety of basic art or craft material with no specific instruction sheet All art work looks different! If parents come in, look at the bulletin board and ask, “What is it?”—chances are it is process art. – Lisa Murphy Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Characteristics of Product Art Structured projects with a pre-determined goal - all art work looks the same! Project-oriented activities with a clear beginning, middle, and end Involve assembly of require specific materials which are sometimes decorated Requires lots of teacher preparation (cut out, glue pieces, etc). If it takes the teacher longer to get ready for an art project than it takes for the child to do it, chances are it is product art. – Lisa Murphy Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Picture 1: Thumbs Up (Process art) or Thumbs Down (Product art) Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Picture 2: Thumbs Up (Process art) or Thumbs Down (Product art) Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Picture 3: Thumbs Up (Process art) or Thumbs Down (Product art) Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Picture 4: Thumbs Up (Process art) or Thumbs Down (Product art) Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

Why Process Art? Process art provides the opportunity for children to: Learn how to use artistic tools & media Problem solve Enhance cognitive, physical, language and social/emotional development Express experiences, feelings and thoughts Stimulate imagination Enhance self-esteem Foster success and mastery because there is no one right way required Property of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium

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