Linda Stauffer on wed 8 jun 11
I am in need of some advice. I've never worked with preschoolers before =3D
and I find myself teaching a 2 day preschool clay class later this =3D
month. The class is only 2 hours long. I am going to use self hardening =3D
clay but I'm not sure what to do with the kids. Any suggestions?
Linda Stauffer
Katie Stauffer Memorial Arts Center
=3D
David Woof on thu 9 jun 11
Hi Linda=3D2C
=3D20
first you have to be an adult " kid" in touch with being a kid. Kids of th=
=3D
is age think in magical terms=3D2C and in such=3D3B inhabit a playful "in t=
he n=3D
ow" timeless space where anything is possible.=3D20
=3D20
Don't get in the way of that with complex pre-planned projects. Their atte=
=3D
ntion will drift into their own world of wonder and magical imagination=3D2=
C =3D
and your frustrated angst that the project is flopping will be instantly re=
=3D
ad=3D2C and they will mark you as just another controlling adult to distrus=
t =3D
and avoid! =3D20
=3D20
Contrast this with going where they are and following with interest and int=
=3D
rigued anticipation at what they will do. =3D20
=3D20
You don't have to "teach" them art=3D3B at that age they are still all arti=
st=3D
s who don't yet "know that they can't" or what they "shouldn't" and so have=
=3D
not developed inhibitions that drag down creative thought and action. So=
=3D
me will make snakes=3D2C angels=3D2C or maybe even a turd! Don't censor a=
nyth=3D
ing!!! Art must be made in the state of freedom!!!
=3D20
If you hand out clay to each with "you can make anything you want" and the=
=3D
n get down to your own ball of clay with a simple " I think I would like to=
=3D
make a ......" =3D20
=3D20
The timid and unconvinced will soon gather to watch you=3D2C and then spin =
of=3D
f from yours to their own as ideas start to generate. Finish your "donkey"=
=3D
and say to those in hearing " what could I/we have the donkey do? Could =
=3D
she have a bird on her back? let's tell a story with our clay" "what cou=
=3D
ld you have to help make our story?" The more intrepid and adventurous wi=
=3D
ll be coming to show you what they too are doing and may wish to join in or=
=3D
contribute.
=3D20
Engage them=3D2C be with them. Familiarize yourself with the games and vid=
eo=3D
s they watch. These are usually the familiar characters they relate to and=
=3D
wish to replicate. Some will creatively take the character into new realm=
=3D
s of their own making.
=3D20
Adults like to posit that children are incapable of complex abstract though=
=3D
t=3D2C and in everyday use this is largely true=3D3B but in their making ar=
t=3D2C=3D
if one looks closely and not dismissively=3D2C one finds rich abstractions=
b=3D
ased on keen observation.
=3D20
Picasso made the comment (as best I remember) that adult artists spend thei=
=3D
r entire life trying to get back to the honesty and clarity of vision of th=
=3D
e preschool aged child.
=3D20
David Woof
=3D20
P.S. Kids are always intrigued with their shoe's tread print made in soft=
=3D
clay. And where could you all go from there?
=3D20
________________________________________________________________________
12. preschoolers and clay
Posted by: "Linda Stauffer" claypotters@VERIZON.NET=3D20
Date: Wed Jun 8=3D2C 2011 11:37 am ((PDT))
I am in need of some advice. I've never worked with preschoolers before and=
=3D
I find myself teaching a 2 day preschool clay class later this month. The =
=3D
class is only 2 hours long. I am going to use self hardening clay but I'm n=
=3D
ot sure what to do with the kids. Any suggestions?
Linda Stauffer
Katie Stauffer Memorial Arts Center
=3D20
=3D20
=3D
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