Supporting Young Artists : An In-Depth Studio Approach to Developing Art in Young Children

by Epstein, Ann S.

• ISBN13: 9781573791717
• ISBN10: 1573791717
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-02
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Young children love all kinds of art, and this book will help you make the most of these natural learning opportunities! It highlights the underlying principles derived from theory, research, and practice and presents the developmental stages in early art-based learning. The authors-both experienced artists and educators-also offer lots of practical information. Learn how to provide appropriate space and materials, plan art-based experiences, and use the language of art to engage with children in a supportive way. Covers drawing and painting, found and recycled materials, paper, and the plastic arts (dough and clay) from the perspectives of enrichment, production, and reflection. An essential handbook for early childhood practitioners in classrooms, centers, and homes as well as university students and professors.

Table of Contents

Introduction
PART I The High/Scope Approach to the Visual Arts for Young Children	7	(102)
Why Art Is Important in Early Childhood Education	9	(10)
Art for Its Own Sake	9	(3)
Art to Promote Other Areas of Development	12	(4)
Art Within a Comprehensive Approach to Child Development	16	(3)
An Overview of the High/Scope Approach to Art	19	(22)
High/Scope Offers a Comprehensive Approach to Visual Art	19	(3)
Guiding Principles for Integrating Visual Art Into Early Childhood Programs	22	(6)
High/Scope Key Experiences in Visual Art	28	(8)
Overview of the key experiences	28	(1)
Creative representation	29	(3)
Making models out of clay, blocks, and other materials	32	(1)
Drawing and painting	33	(2)
Relating models, pictures, and photographs to real places and things	35	(1)
Research on the Effectiveness of High/Scope in Promoting the Visual Arts	36	(5)
The Development of Art in the Young Child	41	(20)
Basic Principles in Art Development	42	(2)
Making Art	44	(7)
Young children enjoy making art	44	(1)
The importance of exploration	45	(1)
Verbalization and narrative	45	(2)
Developmental progressions in making art	47	(4)
Appreciating Art	51	(6)
Young children can appreciate art	51	(1)
Art appreciation is missing in early childhood programs	52	(1)
Developmental progressions in appreciating art	53	(1)
Stages of aesthetic development	53	(1)
Relationship between cognitive and aesthetic development	54	(3)
Stages in the Development of Visual Arts in the Young Child	57	(4)
How Adults Support Art in Young Children	61	(48)
The Role of Adults in Arts Education	62	(3)
Adult Strategies to Support Young Children Making Art	65	(20)
Learning environment	65	(1)
Set up an attractive and permanent art area	65	(1)
Provide a wide and abundant variety of tools and materials	65	(5)
Provide ample and accessible storage space	70	(1)
Provide ample work space	71	(1)
Display children's artwork	72	(3)
Send children's artwork home	75	(1)
Daily routine	76	(1)
Incorporate art activities throughout the daily routine	76	(1)
Provide time for in-depth exploration of materials, tools, and procedures	77	(1)
Adult-child interaction	78	(1)
Stress process over product	78	(2)
Accept children's individuality	80	(1)
Listen to children talk about their art	81	(2)
Balance child-initiated and adult-initiated activities	83	(2)
Adult Strategies to Support Young Children Appreciating Art	85	(17)
Learning environment	85	(1)
Use the illustrations in children's storybooks as examples of art	85	(1)
Bring reproductions and illustrations of fine art into the classroom	86	(2)
Observe art as it occurs in nature	88	(1)
Daily routine	89	(1)
Incorporate other sensory experiences to enhance children's understanding of visual art	89	(1)
Use art to establish a connection between home and school	90	(2)
Connect children to art and the creative process in their communities	92	(2)
Adult-child interaction	94	(1)
Begin with children's own experiences and interests	94	(2)
Make sure children feel safe and secure expressing themselves about art	96	(1)
Develop a language to talk about art	96	(3)
Help children develop a sense of aesthetic appreciation	99	(3)
Institutional Strategies to Support Adults	102	(7)
Adopt written policies that value the arts as equal to other school subjects	103	(1)
Develop a plan to include the arts and allocate resources toward it	104	(1)
Include arts education programs during development and renovation of buildings and facilities	104	(1)
Work with community volunteers who can serve as mentors and partners	105	(1)
Provide ongoing professional development for arts specialists and classroom teachers	106	(3)
PART II An In-Depth Studio Approach to Developing Art in the Young Child	109	(150)
An Overview of the In-Depth Studio Approach to Art	111	(32)
A Critique of Visual Arts Education	112	(2)
Philosophy and Principles of the In-Depth Studio Approach	114	(3)
Basic Components of the In-Depth Studio Approach	117	(2)
Objectives of the In-Depth Studio Approach	119	(5)
Factors to Consider When Implementing the In-Depth Studio Approach	124	(10)
Environment	124	(2)
Teacher's role	126	(3)
Time	129	(1)
Materials	130	(1)
What materials to provide (types and sources)	130	(2)
How many materials to provide (amount, continuity versus variety)	132	(1)
How children use materials (individualizing the experience)	133	(1)
The Structure and Sequence of an In-Depth Studio Program	134	(9)
Introduction	134	(1)
Enrichment	135	(2)
Production	137	(1)
Reflection	138	(5)
Drawing and Painting	143	(28)
A Brief History of Drawing and Painting as Art Media	144	(2)
Characteristics of Drawing and Painting Materials	146	(4)
Paints	146	(1)
Drawing materials	147	(2)
Paper	149	(1)
Brushes	149	(1)
Young Children and Drawing and Painting	150	(3)
The In-Depth Studio Approach With Drawing and Painting	153	(18)
Program A: Three-dimensional space	154	(1)
Introduction	154	(1)
Enrichment	155	(3)
Production	158	(2)
Reflection	160	(2)
Program B: Two-dimensional space	162	(1)
Introduction	162	(2)
Enrichment	164	(3)
Production	167	(1)
Reflection	168	(3)
Found Materials	171	(22)
A Brief History of the Use of Found Materials as an Art Medium	171	(2)
Characteristics of Found Materials	173	(2)
Young Children and Found Materials	175	(1)
The In-Depth Studio Approach With Found Materials	176	(17)
Program A: Natural materials	176	(1)
Introduction	176	(1)
Enrichment	177	(3)
Production	180	(2)
Reflection	182	(1)
Program B: Scrap materials	183	(1)
Introduction	183	(3)
Enrichment	186	(2)
Production	188	(2)
Reflection	190	(3)
Paper	193	(30)
A Brief History of the Use of Paper as an Art Medium	193	(4)
Characteristics of Paper	197	(1)
Young Children and Paper	198	(1)
The In-Depth Studio Approach With Paper	199	(24)
Program A: Art paper	200	(1)
Introduction	200	(4)
Enrichment	204	(2)
Production	206	(3)
Reflection	209	(1)
Program B: Scrap paper	210	(1)
Introduction	210	(2)
Enrichment	212	(2)
Production	214	(1)
Reflection	215	(1)
Program C: Handmade paper	216	(1)
Introduction	216	(2)
Enrichment	218	(1)
Production	219	(1)
Reflection	220	(3)
Plastic Materials	223	(36)
A Brief History of the Use of Clay as an Art Medium	224	(1)
Characteristics of Clay	225	(3)
General characteristics	225	(1)
Types of clay	226	(2)
Working With Clay	228	(3)
Tools and supplies	228	(2)
Firing clay	230	(1)
Young Children and Clay	231	(2)
The In-Depth Studio Approach With Clay	233	(14)
Program A: Schoolyard mud	233	(1)
Introduction	233	(2)
Enrichment	235	(3)
Production	238	(1)
Reflection	238	(1)
Program B: A trip to the sea	239	(1)
Introduction	239	(2)
Enrichment	241	(2)
Production	243	(2)
Reflection	245	(2)
A Brief History of the Use of Dough as an Art Medium	247	(1)
Characteristics of Dough	248	(1)
Young Children and Dough	248	(2)
The In-Depth Studio Approach With Dough	250	(9)
Program C: A new use for an old material	251	(1)
Introduction	251	(1)
Enrichment	252	(2)
Production	254	(1)
Reflection	255	(4)
Glossary of Art Vocabulary Words	259	(4)
References	263	(6)
Index	269