Creative Arts in the ECE Program

Reasons for Creative Arts in ECE Programs Foster creative ability Increase environmental awareness (senses) Meaningful and satisfying experiences

Needs that Creative Arts Meet Emotional Express feelings, thoughts Self Awareness Social Appreciate and respect others work Learn cooperation, sharing Intellectual Develop, organize ideas and subjects Experiment and learn by doing

Needs the Creative Arts Meets Physical Gross and Fine motor coordination Eye-hand-mind coordination Perceptual Alert to beauties and wonders of world Observe, assimilate, express mental images

Needs that Creative Arts meet Aesthetic Develop sensitivity to art and beauty Creative Use original planning, thinking, and organizing Receive personal satisfaction and joy from producing something original

Art Skills Checklist Makes basic scribble shapes Combines circles/squares with crossed lines Draws person as sun-face with arms and legs Compines objects together in a picture

Common Errors in Teaching Art Advocating formulas and requiring conformity in copying Mistaking lack of guidance for freedom Unduly emphasizing copying and neatness

Appreciating Children’s Art Six Questions can help us look at a child’s artwork more carefully. What is it made of? What does the observer see (lines, colors)? What does it represent? How is it organized? What is it about? Where does the idea come from (a story, an outing, imagination)?

Principles of Music Program Base program on four elements Balance of groupings Invite children to respond in own ways Build self-confidence Use personalized encouragement Build music/movement vocabularies Encourage spontaneity Join with your students in music experiences Be inclusive of all children

Music Skills Checklist Moves legs and feet in rhythm to beat Moves arms and hands in rhythm to beat Plays instruments Sings with group or by self

Favorite Children’s Artists Hap Palmer Raffi Ella Jenkins Cat Paws Lee Campbell-Towell Wiggles Mr. Heath Dr. Jean Greg and Steve Putumayo Anna Moo