'What's that? 'Open-Ended Art? I hear someone ask. Why do I have to do anything different from placing an A4 sheet with a prepared template (of a butterfly perhaps?), on a table, for each child to 'colour in' and then send it home at the end of the day?
Here are some ideas about the 'why' of open-ended art.
Young children build their knowledge by interacting with the world around them (Piaget 1928)
For them to learn, it is essential for them to touch, see, explore, discover, manipulate and innovate using various objects and materials
Open-ended art is a perfect way to engage children in a way that allows them to process information that they take in:
It allows them to have an emotional outlet and an ability to express themselves and communicate . For example - "I drew an aeroplane all by myself!"
It builds executive function (the ability to plan, monitor and adjust behaviour, to achieve a goal). In this way they build life skills of concentration, focus, and establishing a sense of order
With open-ended resources young children are challenged to think carefully, plan and solve problems along the way
Sample Resources
With resources, it is recommended that educators always start with what is developmentally appropriate for the children in your own classroom. Here are some suggestions for open-ended materials, in addition to the normal, pencils, crayons, paint, brushes etc.:
Cardboard boxes
Tubes
Shapes
Ribbon
Wool/yarn
String
Large beads
Wood
Pipe cleaners
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Patricia Mezu M.Ed., is the Director of Professional Minds | www.prminds.org
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