Teaching Art to Children Child Psychology 1 Mrs. Moscinski

WHAT CAN ART DO FOR CHILDREN? It is therapeutic – can be an expression of strong feelings. A means to express self – interest, perceptions and style. Shows the uniqueness of child’s identity. Gives them a sense of accomplishment.

WHAT CAN ART DO FOR CHILDREN? Visual thinking helps intellectual and emotional development. Art is a record of growth and the child’s unique way of relating to the world. What if they ask you to do it for them?

HOW TO TEACH ART Each child should feel that his art is taken seriously, understood, commented on and appreciated. It sometimes seems funny but remember the intention is serious. Don’t judge or inhibit spontaneous expression.

HOW TO TEACH ART How to respond: –What does it represent? –Tell me about it. –How is it organized? –What is it about? –Where does the idea come from? Free choice – develops independence

HOW TO TEACH ART No lessons –Picasso said we should learn to draw like a child – they teach us to be fresh and spontaneous. Remember it is the Process not the Product that is important. Expect a mess –Help child feel safe with a mess by always wearing smocks if needed. –Encourage children to try using materials in different ways. –“I wonder if the bottom side of the crayon will work the same way as the pointed end”. –Get excited about their discoveries and share your own discoveries as you work along with them.

YOUR BRAIN Left Brain: –Dominant, analyzes, counts, marks time, verbalizes, logical. Right Brain: –Visual, dream, create, intuition, time free. –School doesn’t teach this mode.

YOUR BRAIN Time for a test! Let’s see what side of your brain you predominately think with

Hemispheric Dominance Test 1.When you walk into a theater, classroom, or auditorium (and assuming that there are no other influential factors), which side do you prefer? a.Right b.Left

Hemispheric Dominance Test 2.When taking a test, which style of questions do you prefer? a. objective (true/false, multiple choice, matching) b. subjective (discussion)

Hemispheric Dominance Test 3. Do you often have hunches? a. Yes b. No

Hemispheric Dominance Test 4.When you have hunches, do you follow them? a. Yes b. No

Hemispheric Dominance Test 5. Do you have a place for everything and keep everything in its place? a. Yes b. No

Hemispheric Dominance Test 6. When you are learning a dance step, is it easier for you to… a. Learn by imitating the teacher and getting the feel of the music? b. learn the sequence of movements and talk your way through the steps?

Hemispheric Dominance Test 7.Do you like to move your furniture several times a year, or do you prefer to keep the same arrangement? a. Keep b. Move

Hemispheric Dominance Test 8. Can you tell approximately how much time passed without a watch? a. Yes b. No

Hemispheric Dominance Test 9. Speaking in strictly relative terms, is it easier for you to understand… a. Algebra? b. Geometry?

Hemispheric Dominance Test 10. Is it easier for you to remember people's names or to remember people's faces? a. Names b. Faces

Hemispheric Dominance Test 11.When given the topic "school," would you prefer to express your feelings through drawings or writing? a. Drawing b. Writing

Hemispheric Dominance Test 12.When someone is talking to you, do you respond to the word meaning, or do you respond to the person's word pitch and feelings? a. word meaning (what is said) b. word pitch and feeling (how it is said)

Hemispheric Dominance Test 13.When speaking, do you use few gestures, or do you use many gestures? a. Few gestures b. Many gestures

Hemispheric Dominance Test 14.Your desk where you work is… a.neat and organized b. cluttered with stuff that you might need

Hemispheric Dominance Test 15.Is it easier for you to read for main ideas or to read for specific details? a. main ideas b. specific details

Hemispheric Dominance Test 16.Do you do your best thinking sitting erect or lying down? a.sitting erect b. lying down

Hemispheric Dominance Test 17.Do you feel more comfortable saying/doing humorous things or saying/doing well-reasoned things? a.humorous things b.well-reasoned things

Hemispheric Dominance Test 18. In math… a.you can explain how you got the answer b.you can get the answer but cannot explain how.

Answers 1.A = Right, B = Left 2.A = Left, B = Right 3.A = Right, B = Left 4.A = Right, B = Left 5.A = Right, B = Left 6.A = Right, B = Left 7.A = Left, B = Right 8.A = Left, B = Right 9.A = Left, B = Right 10. A = Left, B = Right 11. A = Right, B = Left 12. A = Left, B = Right 13. A = Left, B = Right 14. A = Left, B = Right 15. A = Right, B = Left 16. A = Left, B = Right 17. A = Right, B = Left 18. A = Left, B = Right

Remember the dog pictures? How did right/left brain effect your drawings and the 3 rd grade drawings? –What were the differences between the drawings and what differences can we attribute to right/left brain thinking?