Creative Approach 3: Art

According to Mayesky (2009), it is important to include art within education and suggests that when children are learning about art in schools, it can lead to higher academic achievement and better reading and writing skills. It can be beneficial for children who have Additional Learning Needs as Art can help to ease stress and boost confidence. DCELLS (2010) suggests that the Creative Development key area of learning can be linked to the other six areas of learning in the Foundation Phase through the medium of Art. Children in the early years can learn to recognise shapes and patterns which is key for Mathematical Development. An example of how this can be incorporated in a nursery classroom is by children using a printing technique with a toilet paper roll, as pictured on the right, to help recognise the different shapes.  

As part of this module a team from the initiative Art Across The City, an art programme which is delivered by a charity called LOCWS, came to deliver a talk on their work. One of their works includes the Dyaln Thomas Pencil which is photographed on the right. According to LOCWS (2015), Art Across The City becomes the bridge between creative approaches such as art and education. Local schools within Swansea are able to collaborate with Art Across The City by participating in workshops to perhaps create a mural or a piece of work which can be displayed around the schools. This not only enhances the visual appearance of the school but also children are able to build upon their artistic skills. Though initiatives like this, children in Primary school are able to learn to work as a team and to overcome problems together. Therefore children’s problem solving skills and critical thinking skills are enhanced as they are required to think divergently. Workshops in Primary Schools can also help to encourage children to make new friends and as a result, this can increase their confidence and self esteem.  

 

Additionally, according to Kim (2011), there are Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking available to show how creative a person is. I carried out this test and elaborated on the drawings that were already there and drew a horse, fish and a smiley face. This test can be used in a Primary school setting to encourage students who may feel that they are not   artistic or creative. This is because the test shows that everyone is capable of being creative as we can all make a pattern or picture from the lines which are already drawn.

Reference List

JETSPressJCHS (2015) STEAM- The Importance of Arts in Education. [Video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igu50uuGQ5Qm (Accessed: 23 April 2016).

Kim, H.K. (2011) ‘The Creativity Crisis: The Decrease in Creative Thinking Scores in the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking’, Creativity Research Journal, 23 (4), (November 2011), pp.285-295.

LOCWS (2015) Get Involved Available at: http://artacrossthecity.com/get-involved-2/ (Accessed: 22 April 2016).

Mayesky, M (2009) Creative Activities for Young Children. 9^th edn. New York: Cengage Learning.