Art and the Preschool Child
The saying “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder” can be applied to Art and the Preschool Child. Children love expressing themselves through art. Many times parents and adults have difficulty accepting that a Preschooler’s artwork is beautiful because it may not meet their definition of art or beauty. Parents may become frustrated that their child is not “coloring within the lines” or “coloring properly”.
But, I would ask the questions: “What is coloring properly?” “What do the lines mean when it comes to the final product?” Each of us has a definition of what proper coloring is. Each of us has a perspective of what within the lines means. Does this mean that my definition of what is proper takes precedent over another individual’s, including a preschooler?
I say, “No!!” Children are beautiful individuals whose primary purpose is to explore the world around them, to discover their path in life, what works for them and what doesn’t. As individuals, preschoolers have the right to express themselves through art the way that works best for them. It may not be “within the lines”, but to the preschooler it is his/her artwork and he/she is always proud of it. We, as the adults in the preschooler’s life, need to also be proud of the work, regardless of whether it fits our definitions of art, beauty, or proper coloring.
Art is a wonderful medium for helping the preschooler learn language, numbers, and even scientific concepts. It is a fun way for the preschooler to learn to express him/herself. When adults are critical of the way the preschooler has expressed him/herself in the realm of art, the “joy of learning”, the “joy of accomplishment”, the “joy of expression” and the simple “joy of life” is negated. Art, and school along with it, no longer become an enjoyable activity.
In order to instill the love of exploration and learning in our children, we need to provide them with positive and encouraging feedback in all their creative endeavors. By showing that we appreciate their artistic expression, we are modeling a basic social skill that all children need to learn – respect for others’ accomplishments and creativity regardless of our personal definitions or perspectives.
