Why Creativity And Self Manifestation Are Important To Tiny Kids
Can you draw a straight line? The majority of older people don’t consider on their own artistic. Parents do, however, worry about their toddler’s art abilities. As a child care provider for the past 10 years, I’ve had many discussions with parents about ‘how their toddler is doing’ as far as getting ready for preschool or Gaiaonline published an article kindergarten. These people worry a lot about the final product of their toddler’s art tasks. I try to describe for them that art is not just knowing how to draw a flower or a puppy, or whether or not little Jerr colors in the ranges. Little kids need to experience self-expression and the ‘doing of art’ more than having a page from a coloring book to hang on the fridge.
When a two-year old puts his chubby little hand in a bathtub of finger paint and happily smears all of the colors together on the paper or when he makes yet another ‘snowman’ out of play-doh, he is creating. Granted, he will certainly let you know that his painting is his dad’s truck even though you ‘just cannot see it. ’ The important thing to bear in mind is that by allowing our little kids to experience art in their own way, we let them show us how they see the world around them, how they feel and think.
I always enjoy art time with my toddler and preschool age groups. Yeah, they can make a chaos, but they just wiggle with excitement when I take out the ‘arts & crafts’ tub of supplies! Getting been a military wife and lived in a few different places, I have always returned to providing home day care. As a result, I’ve needed to make do with whatever space I can find in the different homes we have lived in. There’s not always a lot of room, but art can take place just about anyplace. I’ve found that the activity is most effective when it’s pre-planned and when I’ve set goals for the activity.
Art is important for toddlers due to the way it makes little kids feel special and good about themselves. When your toddler finishes a publication cut-out collage and holds up his masterpiece to you with that glowing smile doesn’t that make you really feel good about both of you? Through creating simple art projects, that same toddler is not only learning to take pride in his accomplishments, but also to think and improve his hand-eye coordination and physical skills. Through art, children learn to identify colors, cause-and-effect, shapes, problem solving, sharing and cooperation among a great many other skills.
Parents must make sure to ask toddlers or preschoolers questions about their projects that can help them think about what they’ve made rather than ask them ‘What is that? ’ For example, ‘C. J., tell Mommy with regards to your painting. ’ C. L will begin to discuss his work or anything more he feels important at the time! This too shows your child that you are enthusiastic about what he thinks and aren’t’ just confused about what you see! Make sure to hang the art work up in a prominent place in your house so the entire family can enjoy it.
Art experience are a major part of a toddler’s daily activities. They have grown enough to grasp objects and tear papers and hold crayons and brushes. Naturally they are thrilled with the expectation of a new art project, and most important, with the quality time spent with the important grown ups in his/her life.
