Children's Artwork
Some of the most common questions I receive from teachers center around classroom artwork. They want to know how to help their children create artistic pieces that parents will cherish, while also allowing the children's own creativity to shine. How can we as teachers and parents better facilitate this creativity?
Product versus Process Art
The first thing we must look at is the difference between the two types of art that our young children can create: product art and process art. I love this post from NAEYC describing the many inherent differences between the two. But here is a simplified explanation:
Product Art- Art that focuses on the final product; also known as "cookie cutter" art. There is little room for children's personal interpretation, as there is generally a final goal to achieve (usually a mock-up an adult has created before-hand).
Process Art- Art that focuses on the process and experience of its creation, through the open exploration of materials. The artwork is ultimately unique to each child's interests and efforts, and usually has a personal story attached to it.
I think of product art like this:
Imagine you are learning a brand new skill. Your master teacher (she's been practicing this skill for many years) shows you her amazing finished sample and after a plethora of explicit directions, she encourages everyone to make what she has made. You immediately feel defeated. Not only do you know that you could never create anything as wonderful as she has made, but while she was explaining her creation, you had been daydreaming about the unique additions that you wished you could add to your version.
We must not put these constraints on our children's creativity. You never know; you just might have a future Picasso! Let them create!
If I could give one resource to parents and teachers about artwork, it would be this one by Lisa Murphy from www.ooeygooey.com. Lisa so eloquently describes the reasons why we should fight for children's creativity and exploration through process art. She also gives fabulous tips for teachers and parents about specific words and phrases to use surrounding children's artwork; example: let's try to avoid, "That is so pretty!" More on that tangent another day...
Product Art- Art that focuses on the final product; also known as "cookie cutter" art. There is little room for children's personal interpretation, as there is generally a final goal to achieve (usually a mock-up an adult has created before-hand).
Process Art- Art that focuses on the process and experience of its creation, through the open exploration of materials. The artwork is ultimately unique to each child's interests and efforts, and usually has a personal story attached to it.
I think of product art like this:
Imagine you are learning a brand new skill. Your master teacher (she's been practicing this skill for many years) shows you her amazing finished sample and after a plethora of explicit directions, she encourages everyone to make what she has made. You immediately feel defeated. Not only do you know that you could never create anything as wonderful as she has made, but while she was explaining her creation, you had been daydreaming about the unique additions that you wished you could add to your version.
We must not put these constraints on our children's creativity. You never know; you just might have a future Picasso! Let them create!
If I could give one resource to parents and teachers about artwork, it would be this one by Lisa Murphy from www.ooeygooey.com. Lisa so eloquently describes the reasons why we should fight for children's creativity and exploration through process art. She also gives fabulous tips for teachers and parents about specific words and phrases to use surrounding children's artwork; example: let's try to avoid, "That is so pretty!" More on that tangent another day...
More Resources
Per usual, I like to feel that I am not the only one who feels a certain way. So, below are several more resources on the subject. I encourage you to push the process, not the product.
Happy creating!
The Prepped Parent
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