During a child's early years, and really throughout life, development occurs in stages. Regardless of when a child begins to explore his or her surroundings, subsequent exploration and discovery happen as the child works through and masters one stage, before going on to the next. A child uses his or her five senses to learn about the world and, in art, the hands and eyes seem to be used the most.
This young artist has entered the studio as a new student and is eager to learn and explore. She is focusing less on taste, smell or hearing, allowing her sight and touch to capture the majority of information that is being transmitted to her brain.
She is trying new things and not afraid to do it on her own. Feeling the softness of the clay and seeing how sticks can be inserted into it, or used to leave impressions, the artist gains insight into how to use those materials in the future. Learning to grasp the paint brush and maneuver it just so, she begins to understand how paint is applied by the tool and can also drip on its own. The hand-eye connection is important here, as she sees the effect and practices controlling her hand accordingly.
The artist continues to experiment with mark making and works alongside her mother. Being able to learn independently is important for young children, though having an adult nearby for encouraging guidance and response is also very rewarding, especially during a creative experience such as making art.
Moving from exploratory to more controlled painting requires focus and determination. This young artist is highly engaged in her work, so is also learning to persist and overcome problems to the point of completion. Having the ability to try something new and work on one's own with available support, are key in a child's successful physical, mental and social/emotional development.
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