Art at a Head Start Teaching Center, Cedar City, Utah
Deborah Hinrichs, Project Director, Region VIII TASC, Community Development Institute, Lakewood, Colorado
The philosophy of the Southern Utah University Region VIII Head Start Teaching Center is that art and the use of art media by children is valuable in every phase of their development. For this reason, a great amount of time and space have been donated to art in the curriculum. One entire wall has been converted into an easel where children can paint side-by-side and share ideas, laughs, and giggles. The art center is always open and filled with a wide range of media and supplies for the children to choose from and experiment with.
Art is not confined to these two spaces and can be found in most parts of the room. For instance, the housekeeping area always has a supply of paper, crayons, pencils, and markers to allow the children to plan their creations on paper, as well as wooden blocks to construct creations. The designs from this woodworking area are displayed with other art so that the children can realize that they and the things they create are valued.
The great climate in Utah's Dixie, where the Teaching Center is located, allows for the use of the outdoors for art experiences almost year round. Often the art activities from the inside are continued out of doors. A retaining wall at one end of the playground is used for large murals done by the children, and the sidewalk often serves as a chalk surface. The chain link fence is an excellent backdrop for the children's art as they weave strips of ribbon and scraps of paper through the spaces.
Many children's books are full of fine art done by talented illustrators. This art work is enjoyed along with the story as books are used throughout the day. Children are also encouraged to dictate their own stories to adults who serve as scribes. These stories are then illustrated by the children and later read to the class. The child is introduced as both the author and the illustrator.
Art is clearly seen as more than just a means of expression at the Teaching Center. It is appreciated as a valuable and important part of every child's life.
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