EDU 361 THE ARTS IN ECE Session #1 “Development of Young Children and Creative Activities 1Laura

Beginnings of Creativity… Babies manipulate toys, explore space, discover their body parts, test hunches about their immediate world, and even solve problems. (text) What do you do creatively? I paint, decorate cakes, problem solve, explore new places. Celebrating your own creativity is the first step in nurturing children’s creativity. 2Laura Merrill

Creativity How do you define creativity? –the ability to see things in new ways? –making something unique? –combining unrelated things into something new? –Boundary breaking and going beyond the information given –Thinking unconventionally 3Laura Merrill

Why is creativity an attitude and not an aptitude? There are no right or wrong answer, only possibilities. Why is creativity the process of doing? This is because the process not the product is the goal. What is important is the involvement, movement, and discovery of self-accomplishment. Must creativity result in a finished product? No, because the product does not validate its importance. 4Laura Merrill

Does the potential to create remain dormant without practice? Yes it will remain dormant. State the personality traits of a highly creative person. They include curiosity, flexibility, sensitivity of problems, redefinition, self-feeling, originality, and insight. Do children need favorable environmental conditions (people, places, objects, and experiences) to develop creativity? Yes, favorable environmental conditions help enhance children’s creativity. What is your creative outlet? My creative outlet is art for example painting. 5Laura Merrill

What are some obstacles to creativity? –Home, school, gender roles, society, culture and tradition can all be obstacles for creativity What can teachers do to send a message to children that their creative expression is valued? –The can celebrate and value the children’s creativity, be a creative partner. They can provide them with time and space for creative expression, along with toys and materials conducive to creativity, and a psychological climate conductive to creativity. In addition, they can weave creativity and creative expression throughout your curriculum. What did the Wallach and Kogan study find in regard to the interplay of intelligence and creativity in school-age children? –There were for patterns that emerged. They include children who had (high intelligence and high creativity), (low intelligence and high creativity), (low intelligence and low creativity), and (high intelligence and low creativity). 6Laura Merrill

(See page in text, “Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences”) Early experiences and quality time with caring and loving family are critical to a child’s development. State some research findings about brain growth in the early years. –During the early years the brain has the greatest capacity for change. Both the child’s genes and life experiences effect the growth of the brain. With new synapses or connections the developing brain has the ability to be positively stimulated. Early experiences have a decisive impact on the architecture of the brain and the nature and extent of adult capacities. Early experiences create the context and directly affect the way the brain is wired. 7Laura Merrill

Art & The Developing Child (ch. 4)… How does art foster the development of the whole child. (p. 75) Art activities provide experiences and practice in developing and refining the whole child including their physical, social/emotional, creative and cognitive development. (See p. 77, “Holistic Model of Child Development”) Aspects of development interact; they are interdependent and interrelated. Physical development is influenced by and also directly influences other areas of development. For example if a child is confined to a wheelchair not only is their physical development limited but it could affect their social, emotional, cognitive and creative functioning. It could make them a outcast and make them want to avoid school and effect their self-concept. 8Laura Merrill

Art involves physical and manipulative activity. For example, while easel painting children use their entire arms and upper torsos to make brush strokes… pg 76. What are some art safety guidelines? –Use judgment in what tools you provide the child, take time to discuss any potential hazards and dangers, model the proper way to use the tools and supervise all activities. Try out the activity in advance. Have children properly clean up and wash hand when done. Do not mix food and art time together…More on pg. 79 Art helps children learn about themselves and others. It allows them to make personal statements that are unique to them that are different than anyone else's. It helps the child become comfortable with themselves and learn what they like and don’t like and their strengths… pg. 83. Art is an emotionally pleasurable experience that results in positive mental health and expressions of feelings. Through their art children are able to experience happiness, joy, and pride through their experience though art children are able to express themselves. Art guarantees success…pg Laura Merrill

What is art therapy? It is the psychotherapeutic use of art for emotional understanding and healing…pg. 86 T/F? True Young children are self- motivated, curious explorers who are eager to learn about themselves, others, and the world. T/F? True Children need concrete materials to manipulate; problems to solve; people, places, and events to experience; and a time to discuss and ask questions. 10Laura Merrill

Define constructivism. It is a view of development based on the belief that children construct or build knowledge based on their actions on objects and their interactions with peers and adults. Define physical knowledge. Is information about the physical properties of objects. Define conventional knowledge. Is information about daily living accepted by society. Define logical-mathematical knowledge. Is information that is constructed around the relationship of objects to each other. T/F? True Art reflects what a child knows about the world. 11Laura Merrill

T/F? True Children’s development is influenced by home, community, and environmental influences. State some very simple art activities that children can do with materials and tools. –Tearing paper, cutting with scissors, pasting and gluing, taping and sticking, stapling, and punching holes in paper are some simple art activities children can do. Does our text recommend that the teacher seek alternatives to the use of food in art? Yes the authors advise against the use of food in art. 12Laura Merrill