In a constantly changing world, it is more important than ever for children to learn about art. Art teaches children about different cultures and allows them to express themselves in ways that math and science cannot.
Art helps children develop creativity and problem-solving skills and can even improve their academic performance! In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of art in the primary school curriculum and provide examples of how art can help students learn and grow.
Related: For more, check out our article on The Importance Of DT In The Primary Curriculum here.
Why is Art taught in primary schools?
Art class is like a unique playground for the young imagination! It’s a beautiful way for primary school kids to express their creativity and explore the world around them. By introducing art, teachers can bring out their students’ potential and boost their learning skills.
Art also promotes critical thinking and understanding other cultures since it takes learning beyond books and text. Paintbrushes and pencils can open up whole new pathways of learning, allowing students to be imaginative with their interpretations and ideas that a textbook could not provide. Plus, it just makes learning so much more fun!
How can we break down the art curriculum?
Developing Ideas
Teaching young children how to ‘develop ideas’ through art is a skill that can set them up for success throughout their entire lives.
Giving kids the ability to think creatively and to bring their ideas to life in a tangible way helps to nurture confidence, problem-solving skills, and intrinsic motivation.
Working with primary school students to develop ideas teaches them to look at problems from many perspectives. It encourages them to come up with outrageous solutions that foster imagination and open-mindedness.
It’s lots of fun watching their eyes light up as their thoughts are brought into the physical realm!
Drawing
Drawing is an essential art skill that primary school kids should be learning and honing in the classroom. Drawing allows creative minds to start expressing themselves in an accessible way; even the shortest and simplest drawing can still have a story behind it.
With the correct teaching, primary schoolers can explore their drawing capabilities, from shapes and lines up to full-blown masterpieces.
Being able to draw is also reasonably practical – illustrating a message visually is always a great help when you don’t have too much time on your hands or words won’t do justice. The possibilities are endless if you know how to draw correctly.
Painting
Teaching art in primary school is a creative and important way for young learners to explore the world! Getting familiar with painting can be a great outlet for expressing ideas and emotions.
Exposure to art at an early age has been found to help children develop skills like creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking.
Additionally, it can give children more confidence when it comes to self-expression. Studies have shown that kids who are exposed to paint tend to do better in activities related to the fine motor control as well as hand-eye coordination.
Learning how to paint is fun for kids of all ages, allowing them to explore their artistic style while also developing their technical abilities.
Dare I say it? With enough practice and dedication, everyone can become a top artist!
Colour
Introducing art fundamentals to young minds greatly benefits their creative expression and imagination. One of the most basic yet essential art skills is the ability to ‘colour’; this seemingly simple activity teaches children a great deal about composition, shape, texture, mixing colours and more.
When you allow a child to express themselves artistically by colouring, they start to realise there is no right or wrong answer, it reinforces positive sentiments like autonomy and self-expression.
Besides, who doesn’t love having fun with felt tip pens? Colouring helps build confidence and encourages kids to think out of the box creatively – something that will benefit them for years to come!
Printing, Textiles and Collage
Teaching children the art of printing, textiles and collage in primary school can be incredibly fun! With printing and collage, students start to learn the basics of colour and texture and develop critical thinking skills related to problem-solving.
Additionally, by having the kids learn about textiles, they can discover incredible patterns they can apply to their own designs while also learning about fabric structures such as weaving.
Not only will this broaden their creative mind, but it will also help them form relationships with various media and materials. It’s an excellent way for kids to not only explore arts and crafts uniquely but, more importantly, gain essential skills that’ll benefit them immensely in both academic and creative pursuits.
Sculpture
It’s time to get creative and crafty with art! When teaching the basics of art in primary school, it is essential to introduce the concept of ‘sculpture’ because it allows kids to express themselves in 3D.
Through sculpting, children can explore different materials as they give shape and form to their imaginations – producing some pretty cool pieces of artwork!
Plus, it’s just a lot of fun. With the right supplies and imagination, students can make something special that will last in their memory (and maybe even win an award!).
Inspiration
Teaching primary school children about ‘inspiration’ in art is essential because exploring how creativity is triggered can open up a whole new world for them.
By understanding the different sources of inspiration, such as nature, literature, technology and music, kids can start to recognize how all these areas influence the creative process.
Encouraging students to find their inspiration can also help them begin to take ownership of their art and develop their style. Plus, it’s a lot of fun discovering new muses and how they spark even more fabulous ideas!
The importance of art in the primary school curriculum cannot be overstated. With its various elements such as colouring, printing, textiles and collage, sculpture and inspiration – art offers a unique opportunity for children to explore their creative side and gain essential skills.
Not only is it fun, but by nurturing a child’s artistic talent, they can develop confidence and imagination while also expressing themselves in unique ways.
Ultimately, introducing art fundamentals to young minds can have a lasting effect on their creative pursuits both now and in the future.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of teaching art in primary school?
A: Teaching art in primary school can help children develop important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, self-expression and creativity. It can also help them gain confidence and learn about composition, texture, colours, and more
Q: What types of art can be taught in primary school?
A: Types of art that can be taught in primary school include colouring, printing, textiles and collage, sculpture and inspiration
Q: What is the importance of teaching children about inspiration in art?
A: By teaching children about inspiration in art, they can start to recognize how different sources of inspiration, such as nature, literature, technology and music, can influence the creative process. It also encourages students to find their own inspirations, which help them develop their style
Q: How does art help children in everyday life?
A: Art helps children in everyday life by teaching them essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, self-expression and creativity. These skills can help them succeed in school, work and other areas of life. Art also helps children gain confidence and express themselves in unique ways.
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