Introduction
Children with difficulty with speech, cognition, language, and other communication skills can gain a lot from the chance to express themselves through art. Many studies have shown that learning art enhances students’ math, reading, phonological awareness, and attention-focusing abilities. Generally, there are many ways to communicate, but people, particularly youngsters, can express their ideas and feelings through art. Art enables children to express themselves without using words and think about things they can’t see; art is a crucial component of non-verbal communication.
Description
The video shows the events in a classroom with two teachers and children at 9 in the morning. The teachers give company to the children and guide one girl called Katie, who is painting (Colorado Department of Education 0:08-1:09). She is provided with a yellow manila paper attached to the easel, watercolors, and paints. The focus is on Katie, as she is drawing Ariel from the little mermaid. She starts drawing it with two eyes and a mouth, and as soon as the water runs dry while painting, she adds from the class taps. One teacher interacts with the other children sitting, asking them their names and whether they watch movies. The other teacher is impressed by Katie’s drawing and gives a good compliment on her drawing.
Interpretation
In the video, Katie draws Ariel from the little mermaid confidently as Katie holds the paintbrush firmly and draws a fine circle demonstrating fine motor skills. Moreover, Katie demonstrates gross motor skills by concentrating on her drawing while singing (Colorado Department of Education 4:00-5:05). There is an understanding of the language between the children and teachers, as the children can appropriately answer their teachers’ questions during the interaction. Additionally, the children seem to have developed cognitive skills as Katie can draw from her memory of the Ariel she had seen and combine different colors while drawing. The children have developed social-emotional learning skills as Katie says thank you when the teacher congratulates her on her drawing instead of being overwhelmed.
Influence
In the video, the setting has particular models, curricula, and philosophies that have influenced it. Some of them include Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), Play-based, anti-bias, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, High Scope, Head Star, and Bank Street. DAP is applied as the teachers notice what Katie is drawing and give positive attention to her by being nearby and observing her drawing (Colorado Department of Education 0:08-1:09).
Moreover, the Reggio Emilia model is influenced as it encourages children to share their thoughts and knowledge in various ways. Katie can share her favorite Ariel through the art of drawing Colorado Department of Education 0:00-6:26). Additionally, the Play-Based curriculum has been affected as it allows children to interact actively and imaginarily with people, things, and the environment. Children can interact in storytelling with their teachers while playing, and Katie can interact with her drawing too.
Plan
As a teacher, I have realized that children need physical, emotional, and mental support in their development. It creates self-confidence and self-awareness among the students as they can interact well with their teachers. Development of the children is my goal factor, and I will interact with all the students by doing different activities in the class to express their thoughts. I will provide them with more materials, such as plasticine for modeling and fashion modeling. Additionally, I will expose them to Karate classes for their self-defense mechanism.
Conclusion
In brief, regardless of the numerous means of communicating, people, especially young people, can convey their thoughts and emotions through art. Children can imagine things they can’t see and express themselves instead of using words through art; it is an essential part of non-verbal communication. Art gives children confidence and self-awareness as they can also discover their talents as early as possible. Art also keeps their minds active during the engagement, developing children’s thinking ability and memory.
Work Cited
Colorado Department of Education. “Katie Painting at the Easel.” YouTube. Web.