Creative Activities and Curriculum for Young Children By Mary Mayesky Slides Prepared By Jennifer Johnson ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Chapter 3 The Concept of Aesthetics ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Aesthetics Aesthetics: An appreciation for beauty and a feeling of wonder The Aesthetics Movement Early 1800s German philosopher, Baumgarten Aesthetica (1750) “Science of the Beautiful” “Philosophy of Taste” Philistine, anti-Victorian Oscar Wilde, Whistler ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Aesthetics Aesthetic experiences Multimedia artwork Aesthetic sense Doing things for the pure joy of it Does not need a practical purpose or reason Goal is a full, rich life for the child Multimedia artwork Walk-in sculpture environments Mixes of live dance and films Art exhibitions with drama Aesthetic sense Help children find beauty and wonder in their world Encourage children to speak freely about their own attitudes, feeling and ideas about art ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Developing Children’s Aesthetic Sensitivity Aesthetics learning Joining what one thinks with what one feels Aesthetic sense: an appreciation for art Sensory awareness Help children focus on the variations and contrasts in the environment Use all senses, not just sight Firsthand visual perceptions Ask questions to encourage personal responses ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Developing Children’s Aesthetic Sensitivity Tips for an encouraging aesthetic environment Include books about artists in the reading area Include “real” art books in reading and quiet areas Display fine art prints in the room Include art objects on the science table Invite quest art educators to the classroom Give children an opportunity to choose favorites from fine-art prints Display fine art prints near the writing and art areas ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Developing Children’s Aesthetic Sensitivity Suggestions for aesthetic experiences with older children Engage children in discussions about what is art and what is not Encourage discussions about aesthetic questions ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Benefits of Aesthetic Sensitivity Children learn taste and preference Children are encouraged in the creative process Children develop sensitivity to problems Children become self-learners Children learn to be curious and surprised Children learn tolerance and independence Children learn to deal with complexity ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Benefits of Aesthetic Sensitivity Aesthetic Experiences Involve the beauty of nature, the rhythm and imagery of music or poetry, or qualities of works of art Art appreciation: learning to look at and create visual art Multicultural aesthetic experiences A worldview that honors heritage, community, and tradition ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Language for Talking about Art: Art Elements Basic art elements Line Shape/form Color Space Pattern Texture Other art terms Foreground, middle and background Contrast Light Design ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Language for Talking About Art: Art Elements Descriptive rather than judgmental Encourage children to share their art Introduce language Artistic intentions and feelings ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

Benefits of Aesthetic Sensitivity The aesthetic environment: art elements in action Color/hue Space Balance Composition ©2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved