ERIC Number: EJ993041
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 9
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0009-4056
EISSN: N/A
Making Messes and Taking Your Time: Art Making in Infancy
Bentley, Dana Frantz
Childhood Education, v88 n1 p36-44 2012
When her director first asked her to teach an art class in the infant room, the author must admit that she thought her director was crazy. She nodded and smiled, pretending confidence, all the while thinking, "Teach art to infants? What does that even mean?" But when a teacher is trying to get a job at one of the best early childhood centers in Manhattan, he or she nods and agrees to even the most seemingly insane requests. Thus began one of the most meaningful and informative journeys of the author's teaching career. This article is a mere snippet of a four-year journey spent engaging infants in art experiences. The reality is that this narrative comes at the end of those four years, after a colourful spectrum of mistakes, messes, and crying. Yet, emerging from all of the messes--some comical, some frustrating--is an understanding about what it means to create meaningful arts experiences for infants. Their thoughtful innovation, excitement, and unique creativity constantly remind the author of the broad artistic abilities of even a very young child.
Descriptors: Studio Art, Infants, Art, Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Young Children, Art Materials, Childrens Art, Art Activities
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A