The Colors of Learning: Integrating the Visual Arts into the Early Childhood Curriculum

by Althouse, Rosemary; Johnson, Margaret H.; Mitchell, Sharon T.

• ISBN13: 9780807742747
• ISBN10: 0807742740
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Teachers College Pr

Summary

Unique in its creativity and depth of understanding, The Colors of Learningwill change the way that teachers think about and react to children's artwork. Promoting the integration of visual art into all early childhood curriculum areas, this volume will help early childhood professionals present in-depth art experiences to children so that they become engrossed in expressing their ideas and newly learned concepts through art media. This user-friendly volume features actual classroom dialogue throughout the text and many illustrations of children's art, including some in full colour. Based on standards endorsed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Art Education Association (NAEA), this important book focuses on: Lev Vygotsky's theory of social interactions in learning, showing how teacher-child and child-child relations become an important part of the art experience; the use of many kinds of art media, providing examples of developmentally appropriate activities to improve children's thinking and learning; and moving away from art that is solely created to be "cute" and pleasing to adults to art experiences that develop the child's individual expression.

Author Biography

Margaret H. Johnson is an Associate Professor teaching art criticism and art education at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Carol Seefeldt
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
Integrating Art into the Early Childhood Curriculum	1	(11)
Relevancy of Vygotsky's Theories of Language and Social Interaction	3	(5)
Balancing the Visual Art Disciplines with Contemporary Concerns	8	(1)
Creative Art Expression: The Reggio Emilia Approach	9	(1)
Back to the Future: John Dewey and the Arts in Education	10	(2)
Creating an Inviting Environment for Art Expression	12	(13)
An Aesthetically Pleasing and Functional Environment	13	(4)
Stationary Properties of the Room	17	(1)
Arrangement of Learning Areas	18	(5)
Conclusion	23	(2)
Art Media, Tools, and Technological Resources That Foster Language Expression in Art	25	(16)
Materials and Tools for Art Expression	25	(6)
Acquiring Materials	31	(1)
Organizing and Presenting Art Materials	31	(6)
Using Technology	37	(3)
Conclusion	40	(1)
Beginning Investigations in Art	41	(13)
Getting Started at the Discovery Table	41	(2)
Observing and Reflecting	43	(3)
Guiding Children to Explore and Create	46	(3)
Making Connections Across Subjects	49	(3)
Conclusion	52	(2)
Guiding Children's Art Through Language	54	(27)
Asking Convergent and Divergent Questions	54	(1)
Art Talk	55	(1)
Using the ZPD and Dynamic Assessment	56	(1)
Developing Curriculum Based on Children's Knowledge and Interests	57	(2)
Using the Immediate Environment to Motivate Art Expression	59	(2)
Providing In-Depth Experiences with Natural Materials	61	(3)
Building Conceptual Knowledge While Enhancing Art Expression: The City	64	(8)
Documenting Children's Learning	72	(4)
Using Portfolios for Assessment	76	(3)
Conclusion	79	(2)
Children Learn About Artists and Themselves as Artists	81	(22)
Painting in Jackson Pollock's Style	81	(2)
Introducing Art Reproductions to Children	83	(4)
Children Identify with Art Reproductions	87	(1)
Learning from Monet's Painting The Bridge at Argenteuil	88	(4)
Matisse's Special Need and His Paper Cutouts	92	(1)
Art and Children with Special Needs	92	(5)
Enjoying Each Other's Art	97	(2)
Working with Artists	99	(3)
Conclusion	102	(1)
Collaborating with Parents and Colleagues	103	(9)
Involving Parents in Art Experiences	103	(3)
Collaborating to Provide Quality Experiences in Visual Arts	106	(5)
Conclusion	111	(1)
Reflections	112	(14)
Reflections from Teachers	113	(8)
Reflections from Two Principals	121	(2)
Reflections from Teacher Educators	123	(3)
Appendix A Children's Art Development	126	(4)
Creative Thinking in Art	126	(2)
Cognitive Thinking in Art	128	(1)
Aesthetic Thinking	128	(1)
Aesthetic Thinking and Art Talk	129	(1)
Appendix B Art Talk: Language of Art	130	(9)
The Language of the Elements of Design	130	(4)
The Language of the Principles of Design	134	(2)
Art Talk and Art Appreciation	136	(1)
Suggestions for Talking with Children About Their Art	136	(3)
References	139	(4)
Index	143	(6)
About the Authors	149