Sensory exploration and aesthetic experiences in early childhood education

Imagination Learning

In this exercise of the imagination, I chose to simply imagine being another person. This is also called empathy as well The simple act of pretending to be another person has great value for those who practice this type of exercise. For me this experience allowed me to really place my awareness in someone else's mind. I tried to think about their world from their perspective and how things must be very different, yet at the same time very similar to my particular conscious view of the world.

For educational purposes, I believe the imagination is an essential part of development and children who do not use their imaginations are being held back in many ways. For educational leaders using this exercise of empathy, in which a student imagines being someone else can be very helpful in fostering positive attitudes about others and learning to respect others view points and opinions even if they conflict with one's own.

Unit

At the young age of 18-36 months, a child is still in the very early stages of learning and any activity is most likely to be treated in the same way, with extreme curiosity. For example just having a ball of clay available, this creative art activity is much more of a non-creative act for children at this age. The ball of clay is purely a thing to be investigated and perhaps toyed with.

Putting that same ball of clay in the hands of an older child between the ages of 6-8, there is more of an expectation that something will be created. Sculpting clay has the ability to coordinate between the child's mind and their material expressions. It is simple, and allows the young student to freely demonstrate with little restrictions. These considerations support NAEYC's position on developmentally appropriate practice, because the intent that this activity represents is aligned with the tenets set out in their organizational principles and strategy.

Unit 3

Jacob:

Jacob's stage of art development is at the basic forms stage. His picture has some definite meanings and there is an intention. His picture is a self-portrait and demonsrtaes his awareness of his self and body. The forms represent an acute awareness of physicality and the material world, this depicts an understanding of the symbols of art and picture drawing.

Kyrill/Kira:

As Kyrill and Kira at the Easel portrays, two students sharing a resource and using drawing as their selected art form. Both of these children are drawing definite shapes. Kira expressed her intent to draw a rainbow. Kyrill was more reserved as he drew his picture as Kira sang as she drew here rainbow. Kyrill used more colors in his version of the rainbow.

Sam: In Sam's attempt to draw a scarecrow, his use of his imagination shows he has an advanced idea of forms and the intention of these forms as symbols of deeper meaning. Sam used different shapes to construct the face of the figure and also used several different color markers to accent his work. The picture did not represent a conventional scarecrow however, but the child demonstrated and understanding of coordinating his imagination in the real world.

Unit 4

Scenario 1

This scenario represents an appropriate art set up technique. By assisting the children in their robot making activity, the extra materials will certainly complement the activity and enrich the experience if they are not overloaded with too many options.

Scenario 2

This scenario appears to be appropriate if the end result is to help the children in physically performing their art. The conditions of the classroom should be open and allow the children enough space to create without being crowded.

Scenario 3

This activity of placing food cartons and labels in the art area is certainly an appropriate art set up technique. This effort can help enrich the activity by adding a sense of reality to their art reflecting a deeper sense of meaning.

Scenario 4

Clay and computers can both be used for artistic purposes. This technique appears to be non-appropriate but it could be very appropriate if the computer is used for artistic purposes.

Unit 5

My music experiences as a child were very involved, as I am a self trained pianist and musician. I have a unique perspective on music education and believe that it is important for children to approach this subject in a variety of ways that reflect their internal messaging. My classroom plans are open and free, as the exposure to music is educational in and of itself.