Preschool Picassos

I was a preschool teacher for years in different types of schools with different ideas about teaching and learning. One thing that never varied from school to school, director to director, class to class, was the importance of art for all ages of children.

Art is important for many reasons. It keeps children busy with something positive and distracts them from fighting or getting into things. It challenges them to make decisions. It gives them a sense of pride. Art projects allow them to build their muscle control and fine motor skills, and if you’re creative, their large motor skills, too.

I have two pet peeves when it comes to parents and their budding artist. The first seems so simple and obvious to me I can’t believe it needs to be said. Treat your child’s artwork with respect. Do not file it in the outbox without a second glance. Hang it on the fridge or dislay it on the mantel. Tell them why you like it. If it is just a page of scribbles compliment their color choice. Your child is learning about pride and self evaluation, don’t teach him he sucks at art.

Now, my second complaint comes from providers across the web and is less recognized amongst parents and that is partly the fault of some other providers. Art projects should be child directed. Your child is learning to make choices. “What do I want to make? What should I use to make it?” It is my job to provide the tools. It is not my job to do the artwork.

I do not know who to attribute the quote to because I have seen it across the internet and heard it from providers at trainings and conferences but I think it sums up my message perfectly. “Artwork is not a receipt for childcare.”

There are days your child does not feel like doing art but would rather build with blocks and I am not going to force a painting out of an architect. On other days your child may want to scribble with a big black crayon all over black construction paper. I don’t find this very appealing but I’ve never been a fan of Van Gogh before, either, so who am I to judge? Unless you are, in fact, an art critic, then who are you to judge?

I know a lot of daycares are sending home fancy artwork everyday and that is wonderful but it does make me wonder who is doing all the work and what your children are up to while the teachers cut and paste their designs together. I worked at one preschool that sent home a beautiful art project everyday and yet another that simply made materials available and let children do art as they pleased. When I was my own boss I opted for an in between method of assigning projects, providing materials and assistance and letting children do it their own way if they chose to do art that day.

Let your child be your receipt for childcare. Definitely be aware of whether or not supplies are available to him or her but don’t worry if you’re not getting something to put on the mantel every night. Judge the quality of care on your child’s health and happiness not the quality of the teacher’s intricate snowflake chain.