Helpful Classroom Techniques
Do not judge artwork in any way...
Do not write, draw or in any way work upon a child's art project. Adventures in Art provides project description labels to be placed on the back of each project.
We are not looking for a perfect project, just an excellent experience. There is no right or wrong way to create...
We strive to create a non-threatening environment with no implication of right, wrong or 'real' way to create.
Remember, nothing is a mistake...
Encourage a child to look at what he or she considers a mistake from a different perspective.
Lead the child down pathways for making his/her own discoveries...
If given red and blue paint, the child will make the discovery of purple. Allow for involvement and experimentation with materials. Find strengths and build upon them.
Be flexible, allow for variation...
Anxiety and frustration are often preludes to creativity. Experimentation often leads to discovery. Materials often provide sufficient motivation. All for questions. Most children want to be left alone in the process of creating Not all projects will be successful with each child or with each class.
Use the language of art when instructing or describing...
Remember words like rhythm, balance, line, space, texture, shape, form, color, hue, shade, The more senses involved in the motivation, the greater the child's imagination will be. Touch, smell, sight, taste, imagine, pretend, think, recite, etc. Use as many visual aids as possible.
Always say 'tell me about your picture'
Never ask a child, "What is it?"
Never say, "That's a great elephant", it may be a hat!
Do not single out and praise the 'work' as 'correctly done'.
Exhibit your enjoyment watching the process of unique creation unfolding.
Whenever possible, encourage the classroom teachers to do the project with the children.
If possible, leave a little time at the end of the project for sharing...
Have everyone hold up their work. Stress individual and unique qualities of each, recognizing that if you comment on one you'll need to say something about all of the work.
Be sure to wind down...
Involve the children in the clean up process. Give them a warning that they are going to have to stop soon...'Ten minutes to go...'
RELAX AND ENJOY YOURSELF!
Remember, no one knows more about the project than you do!
Do not write, draw or in any way work upon a child's art project. Adventures in Art provides project description labels to be placed on the back of each project.
We are not looking for a perfect project, just an excellent experience. There is no right or wrong way to create...
We strive to create a non-threatening environment with no implication of right, wrong or 'real' way to create.
Remember, nothing is a mistake...
Encourage a child to look at what he or she considers a mistake from a different perspective.
Lead the child down pathways for making his/her own discoveries...
If given red and blue paint, the child will make the discovery of purple. Allow for involvement and experimentation with materials. Find strengths and build upon them.
Be flexible, allow for variation...
Anxiety and frustration are often preludes to creativity. Experimentation often leads to discovery. Materials often provide sufficient motivation. All for questions. Most children want to be left alone in the process of creating Not all projects will be successful with each child or with each class.
Use the language of art when instructing or describing...
Remember words like rhythm, balance, line, space, texture, shape, form, color, hue, shade, The more senses involved in the motivation, the greater the child's imagination will be. Touch, smell, sight, taste, imagine, pretend, think, recite, etc. Use as many visual aids as possible.
Always say 'tell me about your picture'
Never ask a child, "What is it?"
Never say, "That's a great elephant", it may be a hat!
Do not single out and praise the 'work' as 'correctly done'.
Exhibit your enjoyment watching the process of unique creation unfolding.
Whenever possible, encourage the classroom teachers to do the project with the children.
If possible, leave a little time at the end of the project for sharing...
Have everyone hold up their work. Stress individual and unique qualities of each, recognizing that if you comment on one you'll need to say something about all of the work.
Be sure to wind down...
Involve the children in the clean up process. Give them a warning that they are going to have to stop soon...'Ten minutes to go...'
RELAX AND ENJOY YOURSELF!
Remember, no one knows more about the project than you do!