I know many art teachers rarely offer comments or even praise, but I do. If a child isn’t doing their best, I push them. Little kids can sense whether or not you feel they have made a mistake, so it’s important that you block it from your head. I make sure I am in a relaxed state before they enter my art room because I want my energy to be positive and calm. I am gentle with my little kinders and first graders as art class might be their very first experience with art. Well, the truth is, I often forget their names but I always remember their art and how they express themselves through it. So how do you see that mistakes are important to some children and that it’s not a reflection of you? It’s not easy, but I think it comes down to trust. You either did them right, or wrong (in his opinion, not mine!) He loved directed drawing lessons because well, they were directed. But so what? He still enjoyed art at school because he was able to set aside his wired state and have some fun with his drawings without judgement. He was like this at 6 and he is the same at 16. There is a correct sequence for everything.
Everything he views in the world has a purpose and most concepts and ideas are linear. I don’t consider this a wrong state of being, but rather a child expressing his authentic self. There is very little doubt in this kid’s head that a drawing is correct or not. I can see the battles some children create in their heads these are the children where life is black and white, lines are either straight or crooked. Mistakes are a part of art. As soon as we can teach children this concept, the more fun you will have as an art teacher and the more creative the students will be. I can’t say where children get this notion that everything must be done correctly, but it certainly resides in many children’s heads.
0 kommentar(er)
