8 Questions to keep in your pocket

On the blog today we would like to share some wisdom from Art Educatory Mary Ann Kohl. We've referenced the following passage for years in our preschool program and want to share it with our entire community. These are fantastic questions and observations to keep in your pocket for when your child or any child shows you their art.



Young children "do" art for the experience, the exploration, and the experimentation. In the "process" they discover mystery, creativity, joy and frustration. The resulting masterpiece, whether it be a sticky glob or meritorious gallery piece, is only a result to the young child, not the reason for doing art in the first place. Art allows children to explore and discover their world. Sometimes the process is merely feeling slippery paint on the fingers, other times it is the mystery of colours blending or the surprise of seeing a realistic picture evolve when blobs were randomly placed. Sometimes adults unknowingly communicate to a child that the result is the most important aspect of art. Encourage discovery and process by talking with a child about his or her artwork. 

    1.Tell me about your painting. 
    2. What part did you like the best?
    3. You've used many colours.
    4. Did you enjoy making this? 
    5. How did the paint feel?
    6. The yellow looks so bright next to the purple!
    7. How did you make such a big design?
    8. I see the painting is brown. What colours did you use?

For more from MaryAnn F. Kohl visit:
http://maryannfkohl.typepad.com/blog/

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