Incorporating Famous Artists Into Children's Art Experiences

EYLF curriculum, Belonging, Being, Becoming recognises the significance of artistic exploration in the early years. According to Element 5.3 “Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts” Educators can bring about this outcome when they teach art as a language and show how artists can use the elements and principles to construct visual texts. An excellent way to work towards this outcome is to incorporate famous artists into toddler and preschool art experiences. Here are a few ideas on how you can do this in your service.

Do A Bit Of Homework

The first step is to decide which artist you would like to introduce to children. Read up on the artist so that you are aware of their artistic practices and principles if any. Check out their famous works and reflect on their use of colours, form and media. Ask yourself which aspect of the artist’s work you might focus on during craft time with children. For example, you can choose to focus on the sunny hues of flowers and fields in Vincent Van Gogh or encourage children to have fun with soup cans as they explore Andy Warhol’s art.

Explore Pictures Together

Once you are fairly sure which artist you wish to introduce to children and which aspect of their work to focus on, it is time to decide how. You can look for a picture book about the artist or perhaps a calendar made up of prints of those works you wish to focus on in the classroom. If you don’t find any suitable about an artist, pick up a book about a significant aspect of their art. For example, if you find it difficult to come across a children’s picture book about Damien Hirst, look for one with vibrant illustrations of butterflies since Hirst is known for the piece he did with butterfly wings. As you explore the pictures with your learners, invite comments on recurring objects or quirky shapes in the works. Discuss with children what colours or colour groups the artist seems to be using a lot and encourage children to think of likely reasons.

Start Doing

Once you and your children have pored over pictures of the artist’s works and had lively discussions about colours, shapes and lines, it is time to start creating. Ensure access to not just crayons and paints but a wide range of objects like beads, yarn, clay, string, fabric, sponge and glue. Incorporate natural materials like wood, leaves, shells and even veggies into craft supplies so that children are free to use any medium they want. This will keep the focus on the process rather than the final product and thereby work towards meeting learning outcomes, Element 5.4 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media. At times, you may find yourself hard-pressed to come up with craft ideas to incorporate a particular artist – look for inspiration online. Image sharing sites like Pinterest and Instagram have a plethora of craft ideas contributed by highly creative professionals and art enthusiasts.

The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia embeds art in many significant ways to foster the holistic development of children. Here are the main curriculum connections of art in the early childhood learning framework. Linking Art To The EYLF Outcomes

The following article provides strategies on how you can encourage children with painting. Encouraging Children With Painting

By looking closely at famous artworks children will learn how to observe and translate their thoughts into language and listen and respond to multiple perspectives.

By incorporating famous artists and their artworks into art experiences for toddlers and preschool it enables them to observe closely, think critically and discuss respectfully – all key elements of the Learning Outcomes.

Reference: 
How To Incorporate Famous Artists For Children, Learn Play Read