“Art is not freedom from discipline, but disciplined freedom.” -Father Edward Catich
Too often the visual arts are considered a place for unstructured activity and exploration, freedom from discipline or constraint. There is a notion that any structure or expectation in the visual arts will stifle creativity. And yet we would not hold the same standard for any other form of the arts.
As your child moves through her scholastic experience, chances are her favorite class will vary from year to year depending on changing interests. However, depending on her learning style, certain aspects of each class may always appeal to her. If you have a kinesthetic learner, gym class may jump start his engine each day. Your visual learner will favor any class that uses lots of pictures, videos and objects. Your auditory learner will like reading and algebra because she’s comfortable with words and logical processes to reach her answer.
From the materials that make our clothing to the food we eat, consumers and manufacturers alike are making a big shift towards the natural and organic. Therefore, it is not a surprise that a natural approach to learning would work in the classroom as well, when children are allowed to use their natural learning tools – their senses – to process new information. What may be surprising, however, is that learning in a “natural” way significantly improves the rate of retention and our ability to recall information. In other words, kids learn better when they see, touch and do.
The iPad is above and beyond the most sought after item for tech lovers, as it’s the go to place for all things internet, music, movies, and pictures. But more and more, parents are quickly realizing that it can be utilized as a valuable teaching tool for their children, and its mobility means it can go anywhere a child does. Amidst some of the the silly, useless apps out there are some that can make the difference in your child’s learning and vocabulary development. Here are our top iPad app picks for Elementary school learning by grade, from www.Education.com:
“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” Lewis Grizzard
Spring is a fun time of year to engage with nature. These education games, activities and crafts are a great way to get your kids excited to get outside and get moving. A learning activity, Find an Animal Mate, teaches kids to imitate an animal and observe their surroundings to find the child who is their matching animal. Learn more about how to do this activity here .
With shortfalls in education budgets, the arts — visual art, music and theater programs — are first to be eliminated from school curriculum. Sadly, they are considered “non-essential” as they cannot be tested in the same way as other subjects. School funding and teacher performance evaluations are based on student test scores.
Time and time again, I have gone into classrooms to hear that children have already self-determined that they are or are not artists. The ones that say they are continue to explore and enjoy the process, and have a drive to continue and seek out the information they need. Sadly, it is the majority that decides they do NOT have what it takes to be an artist. This is tragic.
