Art: Cultivating Creativity in the Classroom

Imagine that you could climb up on a rainbow toSome experts feel children need opportunities to
zoom back in time and travel to faraway places,investigate what they see in order to fully
meet famous people, witness exciting events, andappreciate and respond to it ( Gaitskell, Hurwitz,
come face to face with dragons and unicorns. and Day, 1982). The addition of art related
Wouldn't that be exciting?  We can take trips ofactivities to the classroom provides another type
the imagination that are nearly as exciting byof hands-on investigation. 
including the work of famous artists in ourIncluding fine arts in early childhood programs is
preschool programs.often as exciting for the teacher as it is for the
Exploring great works of art and their creatorschildren.  Learning is a lifelong activity and
from different times and different places opensteachers learn as they gather and prepare
new doors to learning for both teachers andmaterials for their students.  Let your knowledge
young children.of child development be your guide.  Challenge
Traditionally, art in early childhood programsyour students to reach for new horizons, explore,
focuses on production, or the making of art. create, and discover new things.  Then, challenge
People can interact with art in other ways.  Inyourself to reach, explore, create and discover.
addition to making art, we can appreciate it,Learn more about using art in the classroom. Visit
understand it and even evaluate it.ChildCare Education Institute to discover over 100
Preschool programs that encourage these skillsonline child care training courses that meet the
through a fine arts program expand a child's focuscontinuing education requirements of the child care
from simple art production to the appreciation,industry.  Register for a sample course and try
understanding and evaluation of art.online learning today!