Are kids just scribbling? Cathy Weisman Topal (facebook/arteducator) recently visited Hilltops Institute Evening Discussion Series to share how childrens painting can reflect stages of development and to inspire us to think more deeply about painting and drawing with children. We are already seeing what she discussed in our classrooms. Heres recent documentation from Hilltop educators: At naptime we have been providing the non-nappers with a simple invitation: with only a clipboard, plain piece of white paper and a Sharpie we ask them to draw. Silently and on their own they being what looks like scrubbing up and down slowly. Soon their motions settle into a soundless rhythm as their drawings begin to take on shape and design. To an outside observer, this may look like scribbling. Many of the lines seem to be random and sometimes the artists dont even look at their papers. But there is more going on. If you take a closer look you can see that the childrens minds and emotions are engaged in the physical act of drawing. Examining the childrens drawings helps to give us important insights into how drawing fits into their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. We can see how these physical movements provide emotional release, contributing to an emerging sense of autonomy. Like no other activity, drawing allows children to express emotions, experience autonomy, and build confidence. Upon further investigation drawing also may unearth their curiosities about the world, reflecting their loves and fears and fantasies. What role does drawing play in your childs development? The most salient thing that we are seeing in these recent pieces is a nearly visible transition into symbolic thought. The use of representational symbols, however unique or idiosyncratic, is a cognitive benchmark for children in the preschool age range. And while language, music and dramatic play all also provide a vehicle for this emergent development, art - in this case line art - shows such a direct link between thought and symbol. For some children their symbolism is abstract: See these? (points to indistinct lines) these are a forest...no, a river, while others more readily apparent as say, flowers or people. What thought processes do you see in this art? Learn more about the science behind why childrens brains work the way they do at our next Evening Discussion Series with ILABS from the University of Washington: brownpapertickets/event/823535
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 18:58:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015