It is important to remember that art is not limited to paintings and sculptures. Art can be found in many different forms, from music and poetry to woodwork and textiles. At its heart, art is about using the human eye to give shape to reality. It is the representation and explanation of the world around us. Whether we are admiring a beautiful piece of pottery or listening to a moving piece of music, art helps us to see the world in new and interesting ways. It is a unique way of understanding and communicating our experiences. As such, it plays an important role in our lives.
The Willowsway believes that the journey is just as important as the destination. But when it comes to art education, it seems that too often the emphasis is on the final product rather than the process. We have all seen the teacher-directed activity, the finished product already envisioned; pre-cut materials with steps for the children to follow. From these activities both the teacher and child gain nothing, there is no exploration; these activities will have a negative effect on the child, harming artistic confidence and development. true creativity comes from taking risks, making mistakes, and thinking outside the box – not from following directions. If we want our children to be creative thinkers, we need to provide them with opportunities for open-ended exploration and discovery. Only then will they be able to develop their own unique style and approach to artmaking?
Learning art should be an enjoyable experience for children, something that they can look back on fondly in adulthood. It should be a time when they’re acquiring new skills and exploring their creativity. But too often, the acquisition of skills is seen as the only goal of art education. As a result, children are often forced to complete repetitive and mindless tasks that have no connection to their lives or experiences. This can lead to boredom and frustration, and it can ultimately discourage children from pursuing the arts. If we want children to develop a lifelong love of the arts, we need to ensure that their skill acquisition is embedded in meaningful experiences. Only then will they be able to appreciate the true value of art.
The performing arts are a great way to build self-esteem in children. At Willows Pre-school, we use both music and drama performances to help our children develop confidence and feel good about themselves. With the gentle guidance of adults and their peers, our children can explore their creativity and express themselves in a safe and supportive environment.
Reassurance, acknowledgement of effort and honest praise are key to building positive self-esteem, and we are proud to see our children grow in confidence with each performance.
A growth mindset is a belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and learning from mistakes. It’s the opposite of a fixed mindset, which holds that intelligence and abilities are static and cannot be changed much. Children with a growth mindset see setbacks as an opportunity to learn and grow. They’re not afraid of challenge, risk or failure because they know these are essential stepping stones on the road to success. A growth mindset has been shown to set children up for life-long learning.
They’re more likely to persist in the face of difficulties and become resilient, independent thinkers. The Willowsway; encourages a growth mindset, it Helps children to see mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.
We praise all our children’s efforts rather than their results.
