Why Teach Art?

Why Teach Art?

1. Art can develop pupils social skills by learning with and from others

   • Develops ability to cooperate and collaborate with others.
     • group projects
     • • Hallam et al (2014) found positive feedback from peers about their artwork boosts self-esteem
     • Develops speaking and listening
       • Talk partners: generate, share and review ideas
         • Peer assessment (Clarke, 2011)
   • Social Constructivism: learning through dialogues with others (Pritchard, 2009)
   • Zone of Proximal Development (Piaget): learn from someone more skilled
     • (DfE EAG) children should have the opportunity to work with artistic proffessionals
       • (Ofsted, 2012) outstanding art provision: "creating the conditions for learners to flourish; develop and sustain external links"
       • Stimulating environments (TDA, 2011)
         • art outdoors
     • Model artistic practices, child then practices and refines.
       • Behaviourism: Modelling
       • Encourage peer support for guidance and feedback

2. Art can develop pupils creativity, curiosity, positivity, risk-taking, concentration, motivation, persistence, resilience and positivity (Thinking Child)

   • develops independence, responsibility and autonomy
   • encourage, inovative ideas that involve making predictions, exploring new and challenging processes, problem solving, persevering until their goal is achieved and reviewing the process
     • 'Process-oriented art' enables children to explore and express rather than emulate. (Lynch, 2014)
     • "Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils" (TDA, 2011)
   • focus children on their exploration (journey) rather than always on the outcome (Dundas, 2014)
     • (Robertson, 2014) Different outcomes in art can steer children away from feelings of right and wrong - boosts confidence.
   • Pupils should engage in artistic processes that involve "experimenting, playing, reflecting, expressing, generating, developing and refining ideas" (DfE EAG, 2014, p1)
     • Sensory Learning (Comenius)
     • Froebel: "learning from doing something instead of being told" (Pound, 2006, p15)
     • Constructivism (Piaget): Learning from experiences to make sense of something
   • Art galleries, museums and studios
   • Art develops cognitive skills (Tarr and Thomas, 2000)

3. Art can develop pupils ability to improve own learning and performance (Edison Learning, 2014)

   • "guide pupils to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging needs" (TDA,2011)
   • "identify what they might change in their current work or develop in their future work" (DfEE, 1999)
     • "create sketchbooks to record ... review and revisit ideas" (DfE, 2013)
     • Developes skills of Self Assessment
       • Scaffold with effective questioning and clear Success Criteria (Clarke,2011)
   • Sketchbooks (Robinson 1995)

4. Art enables pupils to express and communicate thoughts, feelings and ideas

   • "Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences" (DfE, 2013)
     • Pupils with a Spatial Intellegience strength can flourish
       • Gardiner: Multiple intelligences
   • Develop understanding of self and others (Edison Learning, 2014)
   • Children can use art to communicate problems and express feelings about them (BESD)
   • (Malchiodi, 1997) Art Therapy can be used for dealing with problems such as abuse or grief.
   • Art benefits pupils that have: communication barriers, a strength in art or a reluctance for writing (Robertson 2014)
     • Art can be used as a 'Visual Language' to replace words (Cox and Watts, 2007)
     • Communication for EAL and SEN pupils

5. Cross-curricular Links

   • Citizenship, RE and PHSE
     • Develops understanding of cultural diverstity
     • Links to the environment (e.g. recyclable materials)
   • Take One Picture (National Art Gallery)
   • children should apply and develop their skills and knowledge from one subject in the context of another (QCA, 2014)
     • Transferable skills. E.g. apply maths skills for measuring, shapes and patterns; or use artistic skills to tell a story
       • Multiple Intelligence strengths (Gardiner)
       • "develop a wide range of art and design techniques" (DfE, 2012)
         • artistic skills enable pupils to express creative ideas effectively
         • Improves fine motor skills
       • Use ICT
     • "Know about great artists ...and understand the historical and cultrural development" (DfE, 2013)
       • Could link to significant people in history, or to book illustrators in literacy

6. Inclusion

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