Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-29-2020 12:31 PM
    Hello,

    Our school is making it's way through NAEYC Early Learning Accreditation and we are have some trouble brainstorming for item 2J.6: Show two lesson plans that help children appreciate visual arts from different culture


    While we introduce the children to many art concepts and tools, this one is stumping us a bit, especially when it comes to our infants and youngest toddlers. Does anyone have recommendations for age appropriate activities or books that might help us get some ideas going?

    Thank you for any and all advice!

    Kindly,


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    Alison Ketcham
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Congressional School
    Fairfax VA
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  • 2.  RE: Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-30-2020 12:27 AM
    I haven't gone through NAEYC accreditation but the way I integrate art into a classroom is to use pictures pulled from calendars or second hand art books to create posters and visuals about other culture's artwork. There are some board books for famous artists that include more than just European artists. Some of these are "This Little Artist", "Mini Masters" and "Mini French Masters" which can be found anywhere you buy books. I don't have specific lesson plans for this subject. I just use the posters/pages as visuals to show different cultures and famous artwork. Hope this helps springboard something... Sharon Heinemann, Seattle, WA

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    Sharon Heinemann
    Lead Teacher
    Redmond WA
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  • 3.  RE: Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-30-2020 02:44 PM
    This is great! Thank you so much for the book recommendations, I will check them out!

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    Alison Ketcham
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Congressional School
    Fairfax VA
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  • 4.  RE: Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-30-2020 08:10 AM

    Hi Alison:  

    I think a key word in this assessment item is "appreciate".  Young children have opportunities to appreciate art by looking at it and talking about it.  It doesn't necessarily mean that they need to engage in an art experience by painting, etc.  For instance, if you have pictures posted at your changing table that show artwork from around the world (for instance, a Japanese woodblock print of waves, or Frida Kaho's self portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird, or Mickalene Thomas' "Portrait of Mnonja", etc.) you can then engage in conversation of what you see, focusing both on the art (the colors used, the style, etc.) and the content (who/what is in the painting, what action is happening, etc.).   Those same pictures can be used to create matching picture halves games, memory lotto games, etc.  And again, the focus would be on the conversations that take place with those materials.  "In that painting, the woman is leaning back on her couch and looks very dressed up with her high heels on and her fancy jewelry.  Where do you think she is going to go?  Do you know anyone who wears high heels like that?" etc.   Many museums allow you to download high resolution images of the artwork in their galleries which is very helpful!!

    Best of luck in your pursuit of NAEYC Accreditation!

    Kristen 



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    Kristen Kennen
    Early Childhood Education Specialist
    EdAdvance
    Danbury, CT
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  • 5.  RE: Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-30-2020 02:45 PM
    I had not really thought about it this way, thank you for the inspiration!!

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    Alison Ketcham
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Congressional School
    Fairfax VA
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  • 6.  RE: Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-30-2020 11:43 AM
    Dear Alison, 

    That's a great question! For item 2J.6: Show two lesson plans that help children appreciate visual arts from different culture, NAEYC's recommended best practices states that the curriculum should promote creative expression for children of any age and ability. Infants, toddlers, and twos should be able to explore and manipulate various age-appropriate art materials. They need opportunities to express themselves through moving freely to music. Toddlers and twos also should have access to many materials that encourage pretend or imaginative play.

    Curriculum for toddlers and older children must introduce new concepts and vocabulary related to visual art (e.g., texture, sculpture, collage, media), music (e.g., tempo, musician, rhythm, drum), dance (e.g., movement, jump, wiggle, ballet, float), and drama (e.g., pretend, imagine, emotions, make believe). Daily projects should provide children with many chances to develop and widen their repertoire of skills that
    support self-expression in the visual arts (e.g., cutting, gluing, and caring for tools).

    If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact NAEYC's Accreditation of Early Learning Programs support staff via email at accreditation.information@naeyc.org or at 1-800-424-2460. 

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    Meghann Hickey
    National Association for the Education of Young Children
    Washington DC
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  • 7.  RE: Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-30-2020 12:09 PM
    Hi Alison,

    I recommend this book: Christmas Around the World by Mary D. Lankford. You can find it in Amazon. It has fun craft ideas that young kids can do and learn about how different cultures celebrate the holidays around the world.

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    Gina Evangelista
    Positive Psychology Coach
    Home Education Consultant/Spanish Teacher
    Flourish Educational Services
    Orlando FL
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  • 8.  RE: Cultural Art for Infants and Toddlers

    Posted 06-30-2020 02:45 PM
    Thank you, I'll will check it out!

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    Alison Ketcham
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Congressional School
    Fairfax VA
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