Section 2: Observation of the Art-Making of the Young Child The nature of child’s art experience and gleaning about the process of children’s art- making

Section 2: Observation of the Art-Making of the Young Child
The nature of child’s art experience and gleaning about the process of children’s art-
making

Observation of artmaking processes is very crucial for any parent, and for art teachers.
This is because it is through observation that one is able to tell if a child really enjoys art making
as Gibbs (2005) asserts that art making for children is mainly about self-discovery and joy. For
instance, I could tell Juliana was in a happy mood as she drew flowers with smiling faces. Also,
as Richards (2007) asserts, it is through observation that the core value of art making processes
in children are validated. As a teacher, I am very much interested in providing young children
with the space and time to develop concepts as well as self-discover through the process of art
making while at the same time having fun.
Personal beliefs about children’s art making
Parnell (2012) Suggest that the beliefs, experiences, and perceptions of art teachers and
parents of young children influence the art making process of the children. I am personally very
passionate about unleashing the creativity of young children especially through art making. Just
as Terreni (2010) suggests, I believe that art has meaning and that artists, whether children or
adults, use art to communicate both personal and social ideas. Juliana used the three dots in her
second painting to communicate that she perceived me as a happy person. In addition to this, I
believe that just as Richards (2007) explains in the article, having an experimental and
constructivist approach is very important for in-service and pre-service early childhood
education teachers as it transcends to the children as well. This is mainly because I believe that
as Anning (2002) explains, one cannot be sensitive to the different art experiences of children
unless one experiences self-revelation and finds pleasure in art making. I believe that the art
making process among young children improves with time more so when parents and art
teachers discuss the art work with the children.