·
When your child
brings home a piece of artwork try to comment on the elements used in the work.
Some things you might mention are the colors used, the kinds of lines used,
shapes you see, etc. Avoid asking,"What
is it?" because it implies that you don't know and that the child has
failed at accurately representing something. Children are proud of what they
make, and are even more proud with specific praise about their work (ex.
"I see that you made a blue line here, wow!")
·
Display your
child's work in a visible area. Try not to compare other children's work, each
child is unique and we all see the world differently.
·
Save a variety of
your child's artwork in a special folder. It provides a unique record of your
child's development and personality and you will enjoy looking through the
collection in later years.
·
Provide your child
with a variety of materials to explore at home. Blank paper, crayons, markers,
pastels, scissors, and pencils are a few basic supplies that I would suggest
you have available. Allow your child to explore and experiment with these
materials independently. You can also add other materials like clay, string,
watercolors, pipe cleaners, and fabric to give your child more choices.
·
Borrow art books
from the library, or find calendars and postcards with art reproductions on them.
This will support what I do on the classroom and will broaden their exposure to
different kinds of art.
·
Join your child in
quiet exploration of art materials and ideas. This will model artistic
behavior--when a child sees his or her parent involved in artistic discovery,
it strengthens the value of working visually rather than verbally.
~Mrs. Fox
