Art in Early Childhood Education Classrooms: An Invitation to Creativity

Abstract

Art is more or less a conceptual representation of inner thoughts and feelings. It is in recognition of this that art educators have emphasized creativity as the primary aim of art. Through art activities the child makes real, his ideas. Essentially, the child’s concept of creativity can be best described as ‘the art of combining things in a new way’. It is in this context that it has been argued that the early childhood teacher should strive to develop in the young learner, the freedom to explore. The crux in this article is that Art activities at this stage of learning should be seen as outlets for children. When children splash paints on paper, draw lines and scribbles in outcomes as a mesh of colours; when they feel the clay, pat and make creations out of it, they tend to express their creative thoughts. But when there are restrictions to such expressions, it may discourage greatly, the natural unfolding of the child’s zeal to be creative.

Key Words: Art, Early Childhood Education, Creativity.