Encouraging Creativity In Art Lessons

In Play and Creativity in Art Teaching, esteemed art educator George Szekely draws on his two classic volumes, Encouraging Creativity in Art Lessons and From Play to Art, to create a new book for new times. The central premise is that art teachers are not only a source of knowledge about art but also a catalyst for creating conditions that encourage students to use their own ideas for making art. By observing children at play and using props and situations familiar to them, teachers can build on children’s energy and self-initiated discoveries to inspire school art that comes from the child’s imagination. The foundation of this teaching approach is the belief that the essential goal of art teaching is to inspire children to behave like artists, that art comes from within themselves and not from the art teacher. Play and Creativity in Art Teaching offers plans for the study of children’s play and for discovering creative art teaching as a way to bring play into the art room. While it does not offer a teaching formula or a single set of techniques to be followed, it demystifies art and shows how teachers can help children find art in familiar and ordinary places, accessible to everyone. This book also speaks to parents and the important roles they can play in supporting school art programs and nourishing the creativity of their children.

With his unique and refreshing perspective, Szekely shows educators how to use ideas from home art and play activities as the basis for a school art program that is meaningful to children. The author presents memorable descriptions and inspiring moments from a lifetime of studying children's home art--all to introduce readers to a wealth of art teaching possibilities. In these pages we learn what happens when children entering the art room are treated as colleagues, bringing their own ideas to an art curriculum that doesn't overshadow them with adult art plans and teachings about adult artists.

Bring out your child’s creativity and imagination with more than 60 artful activities in this completely revised and updated edition Art making is a wonderful way for young children to tap into their imagination, deepen their creativity, and explore new materials, all while strengthening their fine motor skills and developing self-confidence. The Artful Parent has all the tools and information you need to encourage creative activities for ages one to eight. From setting up a studio space in your home to finding the best art materials for children, this book gives you all the information you need to get started. You’ll learn how to: * Pick the best materials for your child’s age and learn to make your very own * Prepare art activities to ease children through transitions, engage the most energetic of kids, entertain small groups, and more * Encourage artful living through everyday activities * Foster a love of creativity in your family

This book explains what visual art standards are and what to teach children

Art Workshop for Children is not just another book of straightforward art projects. The book's unique child-led approach provides a framework for cultivating creative thinking and encourages the wonder that comes when children are allowed to freely explore the creative process and their materials. As children work through these open-ended workshops, adults are guided on how to be facilitators who provide questions, encourage deep thinking, and help spark an excitement for discovery. Children explore basic materials and workshops that use minimal supplies, and then gradually add new materials to fill the art cabinets as well as new skills and more complex workshops. Most workshops are suitable to preschool-aged children, and each contains ideas for explorations and new twists to engage older or more experienced artists. Interspersed throughout are sidebar essays that introduce perspectives on mess-making, imperfection, the role of adult, collaborative art, and thoughts on the Reggio Emilia method, a self-guided teaching philosophy. These pieces underscore the value of art-making with children, and support the parent/teacher/care-giver on how to successfully lead, question, and navigate their children through the workshops to result in the fullest experiences.

"In 'Play and Creativity in Art Teaching', esteemed art educator George Szekely draws on his two classic volumes, 'Encouraging Creativity in Art Lessons' and 'From Play to Art', to create a new book for new times. The central premise is that art teachers are not only a source of knowledge about art but also a catalyst for creating conditions that encourage students to use their own ideas for making art. By observing children at play and using props and situations familiar to them, teachers can build on children's energy and self-initiated discoveries to inspire school art that comes from the child's imagination. The foundation of this teaching approach is the belief that the essential goal of art teaching is to inspire children to behave like artists, that art comes from within themselves and not from the art teacher. 'Play and Creativity in Art Teaching' offers plans for the study of children's play and for discovering creative art teaching as a way to bring play into the art room. While it does not offer a teaching formula or a single set of techniques to be followed, it demystifies art and shows how teachers can help children find art in familiar and ordinary places, accessible to everyone. This book also speaks to parents and the important roles they can play in supporting school art programs and nourishing the creativity of their children"--Publisher's description.

Kerry Walsh is married with three children. She has an art studio in Minto NSW, and exhibits her art regularly throughout the Sydney region. She completed a Visual Arts degree with honours before going on to study for a Master of Creative Arts honours degree with the University of Western Sydney. Originally she had been offering art lessons to children and adults, from her studio in Minto, as well as after school classes for children at Minto Primary School, before deciding to go back to University and study for a Bachelor of Teaching Degree at the University of Western Sydney. She retired from teaching two years ago to write her book and continue with her art practice. However, she could not let teaching go and still holds private art classes. After teaching in both Primary and Secondary schools she realized how important an informed art lesson is in obtaining the desired academic outcomes from her students. Too little research by a student resulted in a superficial art work that had very little depth and offered a discouraging result. Students were elated with their art only when they understood in what context it should be made. When students researched other artists, and realized how different the artists world was compared to the students own, it became clear why these artists painted the way they did. With this new understanding and, through class discussions students were encouraged to look at their own world and to attempt their own art in a more enlightened way. Younger students were excited to see how artists thirty, fifty, or a hundred years ago lived, what they liked to paint and, how they expressed what was happening around them. Second class students were surprised to be confronted by Warhols Soup Cans and wanted to have a go at painting something themselves. Students held a class discussion to decide what to paint if they were painting pop art today. They discussed what image they would like to paint in a repeated pattern and why? The result, elephants, and they should be coloured elephants like bright colourful neon lights telling everyone to visit the zoo. The result of this more inclusive way of presenting art to younger primary school students, which included learning basic information about art movements, artists and art works and, did not simply look at a picture in terms of is it easy to copy or, is it colourful and easy to paint, implanted an understanding about what art is, resulting in a deeper appreciation about art for each student. Encouraging a positive reaction about art even at a basic level for younger classes, helps students to understand that their own individuality is an essential part of art making. No longer should students compare their art to those around them and decide if it is good or bad or they are good at art or bad at art; students learn that everyone is an individual and, that their art is not only interesting but also creative. This discovery raises students self esteem, which in turn increases confidence in their own ability to work through ideas unaided; creating an art work that is pleasing and imaginative. Upper Primary students (years 3 6) are enabled by their computer research to better understand the complexities of life in a former time. When their teacher links the art they are working on to the historical time the class is looking at, themes such as the Australian Gold fields or settling Outback Australia, becomes alive when viewed through the art of the times. By immersing themselves in the creativity of art making, ultimately other aspects of their academic life are enhanced. A students confidence is increased as they become aware that their own ideas are important and accepted.