Offers some observations about child art and some research findings in this area. Attempts to establish the basis for accepting child art as art. (Author/RK)

Explores the ongoing debate within art education about whether or not to copy The evidence offered against copying raises the need for caution in the use of copying. Concludes that, although there is no universal agreement, copying is productive for young people in certain circumstances. (Author/BSR)

Describes a study that investigated the relationship of task difficulty to trainable mentally retarded students' interest in four art activities and art products resulting from these activities. A Spearman Rank Correlation procedure revealed a negative correlation between task difficulty and subject's interest in art activities and products. (AM)

Questions the use of professional artists as appropriate role models for students learning about art making in the classroom. Examines a biography of one artist and reviews research on the psychological and social circumstances that facilitate art production. Suggests that the creation of those circumstances in the classroom would be complicated.…

This study attempted to simulate learning conditions for art activities in which verbal language variables as predispositions for learning in art could be systematically varied and observations made of their effects on aesthetic quality of art products, aesthetic judgmental abilities, and art acceptance attitudes of early adolescent art students.…

This study sought to determine if an art curriculum which merged art activities with language curriculum objectives would lead to enhanced acquisition of basic language concepts in young (K-1) prelingually deaf children. The combined visual, tactile, and linguistic modes of the art activities did result in greater concept attainment. (Author/SJL)

From this study of kindergarten children, the author concludes that drawing should be recognized as an important educational activity that helps children to learn and remember the visual characteristics of the figures they draw, and that it does so more effectively than does mere observation or tracing of those figures. (Author/SJL)

Describes the development of an arts-based educational program at a female correctional facility in rural Florida. Considers pedagogical and political dimensions of the program; discusses curriculum design and development, learning processes, and institutional influences; and presents examples of participants' artistry and interpretations. (DSK)

This study of 30 fourth-grade mathematics classes sought to determine if the use of art-making activities to reinforce math concepts influenced students' attitudes toward mathematics and/or art; their mathematics achievement; or their creative thinking. Results indicated improved attitudes toward mathematics and increased elaboration ability. (SJL)

Reviews professional literature on developments in art education for older adults since 1980. Describes programs at the national, state, and local levels that emphasize either the crafts or fine arts approach to art education. Recommends programs that promote creative thinking and self-expression. (CFR)

Examines studies, especially those of Viktor Lowenfeld, which suggest that coloring books are harmful to the creative expression of children. Proposes an alternative hypothesis that views coloring books as useful teaching tools to help children understand and appreciate art. Calls for further research into the issue. (KM)

In this study of four hyperactive elementary children, the effects of painting and physical activities on attention-to-task were observed. Both techniques brought improvement, the pleasure of the activities seeming to provide an intrinsic reward which the children internalized, bringing increased attention-to-task to other classroom activities.…

Reviews past studies of children's drawings and their relationship to academic ability. Discusses the use of Clark's Drawing Abilities Test with gifted and talented secondary students. Finds that the test can be used successfully to identify various ability levels among students. (CFR)

Describes interactions among children in four preschool kindergarten art classes. Examines the nature of the talk surrounding children's mutual participation in voluntary art activities. Concludes that classroom social life demonstrated children's capacity to collaborate in meaningful ways and to benefit from the sharing of perspectives. (KM)