Children Response to Art

Describing how a child does what helps us understand a child’s feelings. Observing art activities allows a unique insight into every child, for no two children work with materials in the same way. Observe a child during an art activity. In the following section, complete each of the applicable items you observed. Give a brief statement for each applicable item.

Age/Grade Level of Child: ___________________________________________________________ Place/Time of Observation: __________________________________________________________ Amount of Time Spent Observing: ____________________________________________________

Movement:

What is the child’s posture like? What is the rhythm of body movements? What is the tempo of the body movements? How much and what kind of effort does the child expend? What kind of freedom does the child show in his or her body movements?

Facial Expression:

Describe the eyes of the child during the activity. Describe the mouth.

Sounds and Language:

From the items observed above, what can be surmised about the child’s emotional response to the materials? About the child’s self-awareness and self-concept?

If the voice is used, what is it like? What does the child say? (Direct quotes, if possible) Does the child chant, sing, use nonsense syllables or phrases, or tell stories while working?

Summary of Observation:

Describe the child’s self-awareness and self-concept as reflected in the use of art materials.