The Arts Young Children And Learning

This text provides an overview of current philosophies, theories and practices in early childhood arts education, with many engaging examples of how children learn and how adults can enhance this learning. The Arts, Young Children, and Learning presents how children learn through the arts and how adults play an important role in assisting this learning. This text is not a "cookbook" of activities. The purpose is to delve deeper into the topics and to provide the reader with both a theoretical and philosophical understanding of the importance of the arts in young children's lives, and the knowledge and confidence to apply this understanding in a variety of learning contexts. The text covers a range of highly relevant topics in an engaging manner with many practical examples. It focuses on important principles that draw on current research and international examples of "best" practices. Due to the breadth and depth of content this approach could be relevant at an introductory or graduate level. In addition, the content is relevant to students across a range of course (e.g., education, the arts, developmental psychology) and within course subjects (e.g. curriculum, development, music, dance, drama, art, integration, culture, learning, social constructed learning).

Featuring the work of leading scholar-practitioners, Visual Arts with Young Children raises critical questions about the situated nature of the visual arts and its education in early childhood. Innovative chapters explore the relationship of place to art practice and pedagogy, culturally-responsive and justice-oriented perspectives, as well as critical and reconceptualist approaches to materials, technology and media. Ideal for researchers and students of both early childhood education and arts integration programs, this volume is an essential step towards a deeper understanding of how visual arts are understood, valued and practiced in the early years.

Young Children and the Arts: Nurturing Imagination and Creativity examines the place of the arts in the experiences of young and very young children at home and in out-of-home settings at school and in the community. There is great need for development of resources in the arts specifically designed to introduce babies and toddlers to participatory experiences in the visual arts, dance, music, and storytelling/theater. This book presents valuable guidelines for early childhood teachers, families, caregivers and community organizations. Young Children and the Arts presents a comprehensive approach to the arts that is aligned with early childhood developmentally appropriate practice and that combines an exploratory, materials-based approach with an aesthetic-education approach for children from birth to eight years of age. It addresses both how the arts are foundational to learning, and how teachers and parents can nurture young children’s developing imagination and creativity. The models presented emphasize a participatory approach, introducing young children to the arts through activities that call for engagement, initiative and creative activity. Additionally, Young Children and the Arts addresses the intersection of early childhood education and the arts—at points of convergence, and at moments of tension. The role of families and communities in developing and promoting arts suffused experiences for and with young children are addressed. Young Children and the Arts examines the role of innovative arts policy in supporting a broad-based early arts program across the diverse settings in which young children and their families live, work, and learn.

Creative Arts in the Lives of Young Children draws together two essential strands in contemporary educational discourse: the importance of high quality care and education in the early years, and the central role that imaginative arts experiences can and should play in the lives of all young children. A number of underlying themes are highlighted throughout the book. All are related to the potential for quality arts experiences in the early years to achieve transformational outcomes for children. These include: the enhancement and development of children's creativity and imagination * the encouragement of children's innate problem solving abilities * the opportunity to experience a diversity of cultures and a broad world-view * the scaffolding of positive attitudes, skills, and ways of being (habits of mind), to help children flourish in the 21st century. The book is grounded in current research and practice about the importance of the arts in young children's lives. Written explicitly for early childhood pre-service and in-service teachers, parents, and caregivers, it includes a range of engaging and practical creative arts activities and suggested experiences for children from birth to eight years of age. Creative Arts in the Lives of Young Children provides a combination of research, activities, and real world vignettes. It reinforces partnerships between parents and early childhood practitioners and teachers. The book covers a broad range of artistic experiences, such as storytelling, art appreciation, puppetry, paint, clay, drama, and music.

GROWING ARTISTS: TEACHING THE ARTS TO YOUNG CHILDREN, 5th Edition, provides early childhood educators with the theoretical framework, current brain research, and background knowledge needed to design creative arts activities for young children from infancy through the primary grades. Beautifully illustrated with children's artwork, it features a wealth of child-tested dramatic arts, music, dance, and visual art activities that nurture children's creativity. The creation of a safe, sensory-appealing arts program in which works created by diverse peoples and cultures are valued is emphasized throughout. Focus is also placed on where arts activities are integrated into a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Children's literature about the arts, and ideas for adapting arts activities for children with special needs, are integrated into each chapter. Chapters cover the creative process; artistic, aesthetic, and sensory development; anti-bias; and community-building arts activities. Emergent curriculum, thematic teaching, the project approach, and art appreciation activities are also included. Examples of teaching in action model how to be an enthusiastic and effective teacher of the arts process. This book provides a rich resource of ideas and approaches that will inspire all those who work with young children to explore the arts process with them. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

Offering practical guidance on encouraging creativity in early childhood settings, this much-needed book highlights the importance of the arts and creativity for children's learning, critical thinking, social interaction and self-regulation. The book considers the impact of creativity on early brain development and discusses how to choose the right arts or creative approach for your children. Principles for creative curriculums, teaching, assessments and environments are provided and each chapter includes a 'practitioner toolkit' element, with reflective questions and practical strategies for implementing the learning from the chapter into daily practice.

Creativity and the Arts with Young Children, 2e is written specifically for early childhood educators as well as professionals who work with children birth through age eight. The focus of this book, now in it's second edition, is on making the vital connection to music, movement, drama, and the visual arts in all areas of the classroom, as well as, developing creative teachers and professionals who will be able to foster an artistic environment. The book includes observations and pictures of teachers and children that demonstrate practical ways the arts can be used to help children reach their potential. There are expanded sections on multi-intelligences, Reggio Emilia, divergent questioning, and art recipes, and the book also includes literacy connections, and activities for adults at the end of each chapter. There are many ideas in the book for open-ended activities that are important for the development of young children and will encourage them to think in new ways. The standards and recommendations from professional organizations are addressed so that the reader can recognize what goals these organizations believe are important in the early years. Thorough in its coverage, the text speaks to children with special needs and cultural diversity, leaving the reader with the most complete information regarding arts in the young child's learning environment.

This Australian text is about children’s voices – their minds, feelings, souls. It’s about how children’s voices are liberated through the arts, and how children make and communicate meaning through still and moving images, sounds, textures, gestures and the use of many other signs. It is also about how teachers, parents, peers and the community influence children’s early development, and how quality arts education in early childhood is an essential component of lifelong learning. The authors are teachers and researchers who are respected for their contributions to early childhood arts education. All of them have addressed their topics via practical examples, which are embedded in current philosophies and theories, often stemming from original research and firsthand interactions with children.