Introduction
Arts-based centers have a substantial impact on educating children in many essential skills and abilities that can help them in the future. In addition, these institutions can also help students develop creativity and imagination. Thanks to these centers for children, a safe and supportive environment can be created where students can freely study various areas of art and much more. They encourage children to freely express their opinions on any subject and turn thoughts into art. There are many ways in which arts-based centers can encourage children’s creative expression.
How Arts-Based Centers Nurture Children’s Creative Expression
One of the ways arts-based centers can nurture self-expression is by giving them access to a wide range of art materials that can be used in the creative process. Various creative supplies can play an important role in encouraging creative thinking and coming up with new ways to create something (Sandberg et al., 2022). In this way, children can self-learn and realize the importance of how their emotions and thoughts can become personified in art. For self-expression, children can use materials such as clay, paints, felt-tip pens, pencils, and other materials. In this way, students can experiment with different ways of creating something while improving their creative skills.
In addition, arts-based centers can contribute to the socialization of children, as they can be involved in group work. Collaboration between students can positively impact their cognitive development and improve their ability to communicate (Isenberg & Jalongo, 2017). They will be able to learn from each other and adopt valuable qualities and skills, thereby improving their knowledge. Group work is also crucial in developing empathy, tolerance, and mutual respect. In addition, different points of view on specific topics in the art can help them adapt to different conditions.
Another important aspect is that arts-based centers allow children to express their feelings and emotions more effectively through art and the creative process. Through drawing, painting, modeling, and other activities, students can understand exactly what they feel at certain moments and how these emotions can be conveyed using the materials at hand (Sandberg et al., 2022). Mindfulness and fine motor skills are also important aspects that can be developed by involving children in activities in arts-based centers. These aspects are important for development and can significantly help students build their emotional stability and maturity.
How Teachers Must Adapt Arts-Based Centers for Different Age Levels
Teachers can adapt arts-based centers to be better suited for teaching children of different age groups. The approach to classes with each group of students should be consistent with their characteristics and needs, and therefore it is necessary to introduce specific changes for classes with children. For example, for toddlers and preschoolers, the focus should be on a sensory exploration of the environment and learning different skills in a playful way (Degand, 2020). Thus, by adapting the center for this category of children, teachers can provide them with the opportunity to study various artistic tools and materials. This will help prepare children for further learning and the challenges they may face in the learning process.
It is essential for first graders to start training at art centers in order to familiarize children with the basic concepts that relate to artistic aspects. Children should learn new information about color theory, get acquainted with the primary forms of creativity, and gain more structured knowledge about the possibilities of creating different objects of art (Degand, 2020). At this stage, it is also important to adapt the art center in such a way that children can begin to practice theoretical knowledge by trying out basic drawing and modeling exercises.
Second and third-grade students can learn to develop technical skills and try to use their knowledge in various experiments. At this stage, the art center can be adapted by the teacher to conduct various experiments in which children can learn about specific properties of certain tools and try them out in practice (Isenberg & Jalongo, 2017). This will help develop students’ fine motor skills and creative thinking skills by thinking of ways to use different elements. Children may be given more complex tasks that require the use of several materials at once or the use of critical thinking for the set goals.
Teachers must use slightly different strategies to teach fourth graders. At this age, children should be given opportunities to express themselves and discover in themselves particular abilities to create objects of art through inventing or recreating. To do this, students should be given more freedom by choosing for them open tasks that contribute to the growth of creative thinking and expression. At this stage, digital technologies can also be implemented to show all the possibilities of creating art objects.
Techniques That Teachers Can Use to Manage a Center-Based Environment in the Creative Classroom
An arts center-based environment can be an effective way to manage class activities. The center-based environment management approach allows independent learning of various techniques and skills in order to enable children to develop more comprehensively. To manage the center-based environment in the creative classroom, the teacher can use techniques such as setting clear expectations for behavior and work in the center (Isenberg & Jalongo, 2017). This may include various rules and instructions for children regarding the safe and proper use of classroom materials and tools. Thus, the teacher will be able to proactively reduce the risk of injury or misuse by children of the materials provided for creativity.
Another important technique for managing the environment in an arts center can be the use of visual cues for students. These include posters, signs, and visual instructions that can make it easier for children to understand their tasks and their progress (Arns, 2021). In addition, this should help the assimilation of knowledge about exactly how students can use the center and the equipment present in it. In addition, an essential technique in managing the environment is the use of technology in the learning process. An example of such management would be creating a portfolio for students to showcase and save their created work. In addition, computers and tablets can be used in the classroom, which will allow students to use online educational resources and opportunities.
Conclusion
It can be said that arts-based centers play an important role in the development of children of all ages as they help them learn new specific skills. In this way, teachers can more accurately present the necessary information for teaching art and help students develop creative thinking and fine motor skills. By adapting the centers for children of each age, it is possible to achieve the maximum effect from training, which will affect the performance of students. In addition, it is important to pay attention also to how the classrooms of the center are equipped, since the environment can play a significant role in the education of children.
References
Arns, K. M. (2021). Multiple Intelligence in a Center Based Environment. International Journal of the Whole Child, 6(2), 96-112. Web.
Degand, D. (2020). Introducing critical race media literacy in an undergraduate education course about technology and arts-based inquiry. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 22(3), 96-117. Web.
Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo, M. R. (2017). Creative thinking and arts-based learning, 7th ed. Pearson Education (US). Web.
Sandberg, B., Stasewitsch, E., & Prümper, J. (2022). Skills Development through Virtual Art-Based Learning: Learning Outcomes of an Advanced Training Program for Project Managers. Education Sciences, 12(7), 455. Web.