CTECLC’s Take On Preschool Art
Our Preschool and Pre-K classes get artistic. These trees are made with the use of paper towel instead of paint brushes to apply the color which gives it the lovely textured look. The kids enjoyed this session. One little girl enjoyed it so much she was determined to get the job done so she sacrificed playing dress up at center time to finish her work of art!
So why do we have preschool art? Is it just scribbles? Is it busy work? Actually No.
Studies show that the creation of art helps with social and emotional development in young children. The sense of satisfaction they achieve at being able to make their own choices and complete a masterpiece of their own making builds their sense of independence.
Art also helps their cognitive development. They are able to explore the different textures of the materials they use and decide which they prefer. It may be the simple sound of the scratch of the crayon as they color or the blending of blobs of colors of paint into a bigger and bigger circle. So there is decision making, what to draw, (house, Elsa, spider man) what to use to draw the house, Elsa or spider man, how they’re going to place the house, Elsa or spider man on the paper and how long to draw the house, Elsa or spider man.
Art also helps with motor development which prepares them eventually for the process of writing.
Article source: http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=113
