Art Show Prep

Today we spent some time selecting our art pieces for our ART SHOW on Sunday May 7th at 4 pm.  The show will be presented at the Siloam Springs Tennis Courts.   I am excited . This will be the first art show that Bright Beginnings has hosted !

“Why change it up ,Debbie ? For YEARS your group has put on an amazing music program.  What happened to the Rock Stars or the Whooville Who’s ?  ”    So glad you asked.  Evidently I am becoming a hippy in my old age.  As I learn more about how children learn and how different things affect them positively or negatively I would be a terrible practitioner not to heed research and do what is best for children.  Every year that we  put on a great  show there have been children that the spotlight puts them in full blown meltdown mode.  Maybe it is only one or two children each performance  but still –  is it fair for me to expect something so far out of their comfort zone to celebrate their year  ? There is also the stress of costumes and food and decorations and sets and.. the list is endless.  Why not make the event something that can really be celebrated in a way everyone can enjoy – including the teachers ?  So wait.. best practice is also easier and less stressful on the teachers ?  On the children ? On the families ?   It just makes sense.

Each child will have individual pieces to show and we will have group pieces.  The individual pieces ( for the most part ) is art that the child decided on their own to visit the art center or the easel and create.  What we found when we went through the art portfolios today was that a few of our kiddos are NOT artsy kiddos.  Or perhaps they are artsy but at this stage in their development prefer to be a princess or to build amazing structures with blocks.  And guess what ??!! That is OK!

According to Michigan State University :
“Children are naturally curious. From the minute they gain control of their limbs, they work to put themselves out into the world to see how it all works. They explore, observe and imitate, trying to figure out how things operate and how to control themselves and their environments. This unrestricted exploration helps children form connections in their brain, it helps them learn—and it’s also fun.

Skills youth practice when participating in art activities include:

• Fine motor skills. Grasping pencils, crayons, chalk and paintbrushes helps children develop their fine motor muscles. This development will help your child with writing, buttoning a coat and other tasks that require controlled movements.
• Cognitive development. Art can help children learn and practice skills like patterning and cause and effect (i.e., “If I push very hard with a crayon the color is darker.”). They can also practice critical thinking skills by making a mental plan or picture of what they intend to create and following through on their plan.
• Math skills. Children can learn, create and begin to understand concepts like size, shape, making comparisons, counting and spatial reasoning.
• Language skills. As children describe and share their artwork, as well as their process, they develop language skills. You can encourage this development by actively listening and asking open-ended questions in return. It is also a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary words regarding their project (i.e., texture).

In addition to helping youth develop important skills, free expression is also good for overall health and well-being. Giving your child a creative outlet can help relieve stress and work through things happening in their lives. By encouraging artistic expression, you can help facilitate learning. ”

I am excited to share your child’s art with you.  And also.. the self portraits !! They are such a great example of growth .  You will love them.