Kids Art: Nurturing creativity

I read quite a number of blogs by Mums about their children and I have noticed that the term ‘art’ as it relates to children is used to mean many different things. To me, an experience can only truly be described as ‘art’ if it provides an opportunity f0r the child to express their individual creativity; ‘art’ includes an element of originality – an original thought or plan, and/or an original response to the creative media. I think the term ‘art’ sometimes becomes confused with ‘craft.’ To me, craft is less about the creativity and more about reproducing an idea seen previously or practising a technique with a specific medium (eg. the initial stages of learning to crochet or knit).

It is important for adults to remember that a child’s initial responses to a new creative medium are not about making art but are instead about exploring and experimenting with the materials. Children need to be given time for unhurried, uninterrupted exploration of a new material without having to ‘make’ something, time to freely explore the material’s properties and capabilities. Adults should not expect that the marks on the page always have to represent something, sometimes they are just marks on the page made during the exploration process.

Children who have had sufficient time and opportunity to experiment with a material (and who are at an appropriate level are development) are more likely to be ready to learn control over the material and to use it in a more controlled manner to express themselves and their ideas.

Children will who experience new, interesting, or exciting ideas and experiences have much to ‘say’ about their world and it is this combination of childhood experiences and the encouragement to express these ideas through a creative medium that is truly ‘art.’

For more about young children’s art and learning, including fabulous ideas to get you creating, check out my book – Time to Create: Hands On Explorations in Process Art for Young Children.

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Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.

Read more of Christie's adventures at https://childhood101.com.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

Daveda says
August 6, 2009 at 2:59 PM

I love this post. Indeed children should be able to express themselves freely. I agree that in doing this they will discover their own abilities, gifts and talents in this area.
Super Sarah says
August 6, 2009 at 10:35 PM

Good point re the differences and similarities between art and craft. I saw this in action yesterday when Amy and I were making some birthday cards for my Mum using glue and glitter sprinkles. I wanted an end result, a card for Mum, Amy wanted to experiment using glue, glitter and paper!
Amanda says
August 7, 2009 at 3:15 AM

Yay, someone agrees with me, I've been arguing the differences between art and craft for a long time. I tend to see art siding with uniqueness and something that is one off and original. I've had arguements with teachers about this too and they still call that creative part of the child's day 'art and craft' and see them as one and the same. Not so. I am a bit anti-colouring in book myself, I have a bit of a thing where I believe that the lines and teaching them that its right to colour inbetwen the lines is limiting. Not sure if I'm right but I tend to just give Kez paper and a pen, she finds colouring in books boring now. : ) I did a post on it earlier in the year but blogger isn't letting me post the link here.
gypsy says
August 8, 2009 at 2:02 PM

I fully agree, thank you for your thoughtfully written post. Some adults are too invested in the "results" of their kids' art. It's the experience itself, not the product, that is key!
Christie Burnett says
August 18, 2009 at 1:58 PM

Thank you for your comments, it really is about the experience not the product, especially for younger children. It is a shame adults put pressure on them as they get older (through their comments and feedback about art attempts) to create 'something.' Children can quickly lose their beautifully, natural creativity in their desire to please adults.
Christie

Kids Art: Nurturing creativity

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