Children's AUTHENTIC Art vs. Classroom Craftivities

AUTHENTIC, ORIGINAL, GENUINE DRAWINGS 

WELCOME! Chances are good this is your first time here. WELCOME!

In my travels across the country wearing my author-illustrator hat, I see an entire continuum of children's work. Children's art. Children's crafted projects. Children's "craftivities." From soup-to-nuts hanging on bulletin boards in classrooms and hallways from sea to shining sea, I grade the building's 'teaching' by what I see on public display. 

I am typically making a one day visit. I have my camera ready. I take pictures. A TON of pictures. I share them here. The whole time my brain is going roughly 100 miles an hour. I have an interior commentary running the whole time. Keep in mind that I am a former elementary school art teacher. That is my degree. That is my training. That is my passion: children's art. I BELIEVE that children can be prepared for the future by NURTURING their innate creativity. I believe it is our responsibility to provide opportunities that TEACH them to develop their creativity while affording them time and resources to learn about collaboration in the process. 

When I saw these AUTHENTIC drawings in Miss Young's Dallas preschool classroom earlier this month, I took a moment to R*E*J*O*I*C*E! See for yourself the evidence of an entire class set of AMAZING work! Celebrate the reality of what  FOUR YEAR old children are capable of drawing, capable of creating, capable of rendering! AUTHENTIC ART!!!

It can be done!!! With even the simplest of crayons and paper plus a LOT of observation, a whole ton of directed observation, with adult guidance and support, you've seen what can be accomplished. You've seen the proof from Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary's PreK: MASTERPIECE upon MASTERPIECE!

As a reminder, let me share the ORIGINAL one and only Eric Carle as he reads his classic gift to children of EVERY generation! Take a careful look at his art, because soon we are going to take a close up walk through the children's response to his work. I want it FRESH in your mind! 

So what exactly do I mean by the term "AUTHENTIC" as it relates to children's art? 
Let us turn to the dictionary for further clarification. 

I LUV the idea of 'GENUINE' being applied to the work {and ART work} of children. That which is 'real, bona fide, true and veritable' also resonate with me. 

We have ALL seen science fair projects that we know were created by at least one of the parents-in-residence. We have also ALL seen {art} projects that were created, or HEAVILY supervised by adults. What is the difference you ask, to those efforts created independently by children?

I have written about children being ALLOWED to be independent in their artwork before. Here's one of my favorite examples from a two year old classroom. Which student had 'supervision' from the classroom volunteer? WHY do adults feel the need to intercede? Adjust? Fix? Alter? Do you feel compelled to tweak your student/child's artwork? Why is that? 

Let's take a look at the antonyms of the term authentic. We will consider bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock and phony as we continue our conversation together today. I will allow you to insert your favorite choice from this list at the times you feel appropriate, while viewing children's work in this article. 

This past Tuesday, I took the spotlight in our ongoing Teacher Twitter Chat. We were discussing the role of creativity in the classroom and how educators (and parents) can encourage creativity in the children of their world. Fascinating chat. Fascinating interaction. [Read the entire Storify archive to share in the conversation.] 

I tweeted this next example of an entire bulletin board's worth of 'CRAFTIVITY,' as observed during my travels. In my initial 'tweet' I asked what this type of activity teaches our students about creativity. {Insert your antonym of choice now:___________.}

There were quite a few tweets in response to my question, including comments from other tweeps that weren't even participating in our chat experience. [The magic of Twitter is that the conversation expands through ripples beyond the initial audience.]

My favorite hashtags that got attached to the work above: #snark and #Pinterestfail. 

I felt directed to re-share my tweet that followed the initial question..... 

"What does this type of 'work' teach our students about creativity?" I didn't want there to be ANY doubt as to where I stood on the issue. 

When I initially photographed the penguin bulletin board above, it compelled me to write this article over at our collaborative blog "PreK+K Sharing" on the differences between "Process + Product" as they relate to Art. That article is our number two read article of all time. The continued popularity of that article gives me encouragement. People are interested in the differences between the two. Interest implies consideration. 

It is in that earlier article that I call the penguin march, 'the march of the Stepford penguins', but in all fairness I do say that there are some things learned about following directions and fine motor skills in a craftivity such as this. For example I mention that surgeons need to be good at following directions and honing their fine motor skills. Honest. I get that.

I conclude the Penguin example with this next comparison. 

Same materials: construction paper and glue.

Which classroom of children has the opportunity for some originality, some creativity, some uniqueness expressed? 

Which children are being asked to THINK? To CREATE?

[***While not necessarily TRULY process-driven, 

the examples at the top of this next image are considerably more "OPEN-ENDED" in their approach. Please don't get tied up in semantics and miss the point.]

You don't have to take my word for the value of authentic Art. 

Here's an excerpt from a FREE PDF Handout 

from this summer's ECE conference at ETSU. 

Take the word of Dr. Carol Russell. 

By ALL means download the entire handout and share liberally! 

According to Dr. Russell?

Read for yourself. 

Craftivities can frustrate children, 

leading them to question their own creative abilities. 

Perhaps even MOST importantly, craftivities: 

"DENY CHILDREN PRACTICE IN MAKING MEANINGFUL ART!"

I SECOND that observation!

Where's the AMEN-corner? 

THE Jack Hartmann, Moi, "Pete-the-Cat" ETSU 2014

*I was one of the keynotes at this same ETSU ECE conference last sumer. 

I wrote about their SWEET Reggio inspired conference display in this article. 

BTW: a Reggio approach and craftivities would be on opposite poles of a continuum on approaches for working with children.

*I have had the great good fortune of touring across Reggio Emilia in Italy and performing for the Italian children. I have shared quite a few pieces from my first hand observations and travels in Reggio. 

Here's another FREE handout: 

FEATURES OF AUTHENTIC ARTS LEARNING 

Now back to our little hungry caterpillars. 

Let's take a close look at the work of these four year olds. 

There is indeed an entire continuum of 'capability' within the classroom, when it comes to rendering the subject matter at hand. This classroom is no different.

What do I LUV about these next 'emerging' drawings?

They are gen-u-ine! They are AUTHENTIC! 

The three examples above are those LEAST like Carle's creeping protagonist.

YET: 

Each drawing still makes complete sense to the observer in context of the assignment.

They are indeed in the style of Carle. 

Similar coloration. Similarity in shapes.

It is possible to identify legs and heads. 

AUTHENTIC!

What do these three examples above document? 

EVERY child was allowed to convey and yes, perhaps even 'struggle' with their skill set and the project presented. 

No one has interceded with a stencil. 

No one has been handed 5 green + one red construction paper circles. 

Every effort is valued and hangs with the class display! 

Miss Young proclaims that YOUR work matters.... 

whatever the approximation! 

And folks. That is what makes it AUTHENTIC!

I VALUE WHAT YOU ARE ABLE TO CREATE!!!

ALL BY YOURSELF!

From your own observations!!!

With the skills that you have today! 

Take a look at these next very hungries! 

They even have little hairs emanating from the body!

That's a lot of observation and quite probably originating from a meaningful discussion. 

Caterpillars = science. 

Now we're adding the A for Arts to the equation:

STEM + A = STEAM!

Did you remember the color of the antennae? 

I am just tickled purple at this detail! 

Look how each of the next artists deal with the coloration of the antennae. 

FASCINATING. 

AUTHENTIC! 

If I were the parent of a four year old and even if I had never ever seen Eric Carle's classic, I would be THRILLED to receive my child's drawing from the enthusiastic Miss Young, I would recognize that it deserves a frame!

Why? 

Because..... 

I KNOW that it is my child's original, purposeful, AUTHENTIC work! 

What is not to LUV LUV LUV about these drawings...... 

Even if they are not from my own tribe!

They literally SING to me of what childhood entails.  

It is absolutely impossible to choose a favorite. 

Each drawing is entirely and incredibly UNIQUE! 

What a fantastic rendering. 

EACH AND EVERY ONE! 

So innocent. 

So child-like. 

So AUTHENTIC! 

Four years old. 

AUTHENTIC! 

KISS YOUR BRAIN, MISS YOUNG! 

Immediately after I returned from NAEYC and this incredible school visit, 
I shared some immediate observations on the writing 
my author visit ignited in the first graders. 

Now let's shift gears. 
Trade crayons for tissue paper.

Here's a glimpse at some more 'mature' artists. 

Also ironically from Texas. 

Also AUTHENTIC work. 

You know one way I can tell the work is authentic? 

The kids are THRILLED to share it with me!
They know that it is THEIR OWN! 

They are SO EXCITED! 

They know that their work is unique, genuine and original! 

Those toothless grins are the REAL DEAL! 

Want to see more of these tissue paper caterpillars? 

Go back in time to my earlier school visit. 

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So what would a 'craftivity' of a caterpillar look like? 

Just go to google images and you will be bombarded. 
Do a search on Pinterest and be prepared.

We have all seen a project similar to this next one. 
The letter "C" forms a caterpillar created by circles.

I give you letter formation craftivity example #1.
BTW: This is also the work of a four year old. 

Don't get me wrong.

There is 'something' to be said for approaching letter recognition

from a 'physicality' stance.

This child is learning about shapes: circles to be exact. 

This child is learning about glue. 

Just don't confuse this type of activity with creative expression.

Finger dexterity, fine motor control, eye-hand coordination, exploration of materials: check.

People. Honestly. I get that. 

But when your every wall is covered in this type of work,

when there is absolutely NO 'evidence' of any original open-ended work, 

when there is no easel in the room, 

when there are NO examples of open-ended work on display, 

when there are no "loose parts" from which to create ephemeral experiences,

when every child's circle filled, letter C is interchangable with another's....

 I am SERIOUSLY concerned about the independent and authentic spirit of your students. 

What happens to that innate child-like, authentic creativity?   

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I will also submit to you this image below, from one of my earlier Eric Carle RoundUPs, as craftivity example #2. 

I have seen this exercise replicated in numerous schools, 

in various states across the country.
Behold the power of Pinterest. 

Compare this set of Buckeye caterpillars above, 

where the adults have pre-cut the facial features for the children,

to their northern {Michigan} counterparts below, 

where at least the facial features were child-directed.

*Two points for the students creating their 'own' faces.

See what a HUGE difference even that detail makes!
[I can applaud our MI counterparts this weekend, since the Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines this Saturday on the football field. I digress.] 

Here's my RoundUP of dozens and dozens of projects 
in response to Eric Carle's MANY books. 

I will warn you that they range across the spectrum of AUTHENTIC to "craftivity." 

Many of the projects pictured in the RoundUP are somewhere in the middle. 

Here are two different MEGA over-sized caterpillars, 
where each young child has created a 'process' open-ended, finger-painting to add to the teacher crafted bulletin board's final presentation. 

This is a win-win in my book! 
Especially so for the toddlers.
Let's make HUGE, over-sized, participatory connections to books! 
#KissYourBrain! 





So WHY is it that 'some' teachers so FREQUENTLY veer more toward the craftivity end of the continuum over authenticity? 
Inquisitive minds want to know.
What do you think? 
Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

It must be something about penguins. 
I just had a mom leave this image on my FB fanpage. 



If you are going to go craftivity..... then by all means it is absolutely CRITICAL to give children the pieces and parts and allow them the freedom in assembly of the project. Here is a penguin craftivity where the students have obviously done the 'work' of constructing the puzzle on their own. 

 

I have another set of authentic examples that I will post NEXT Sunday, 

with my rambling thoughts on this CRITICAL question. 
STAY TUNED.

If you're looking for AUTHENTIC art examples, 
pop over to this article for a tad more inspiration! If you want to see authentic drawings for Mother's Day, you'll want to go back to this collection. 
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When I was the art teacher at Parkside Elementary in snow covered WI, my favorite way to direct authentic student work was to have them respond to the illustrations within picture books. Just as our Miss Young has directed at the outset of this article, I chose illustrators whose work was bold and inviting. 

One of my favorite 'cyber-Art teacher personalities' is Patty Palmer of "Deep Space Sparkle." By following her blog, you will have immeasurable continuing education on this issue. I would direct you specifically to start with her article where she has organized 60+ Art Projects in response to Children's Literature! BRAVO!! BRAVO!! 

It is my dream to collaborate with Patty {and Art + classroom teachers of this caliber} in directing children to respond to the graphic fabric illustrations that I designed and created for my own three picture books! I have been on both sides of the busy teacher's desk. It is an absolute joy to work together!

As an illustrator, I LUV LUV LUV to see how teachers direct their students to create 
AUTHENTIC work in response to my illustrations. 

Here's THE LARGEST collaboration ever! 
When all 330 NY Kinder-kids had created their unique quilt square, the finished collaboration stretched edge to edge across the school's entire gymnasium!!!

Imagine walking in to this "GREETING" from a downpour outside! 



Want to 'see' what that backdrop looks like 'in action'? 
Take a quick peak as I open our morning Author's presentation!

Yes! The song that you just heard is one of my original "Debbie's Ditties." 

It is available at TeachersPayTeachers as a digital download: 

"Glad I'm at School Today!"

I am best described as a multi-disciplined artist!   

Now. Look at the beauty and the graphic integrity of these Tennessee 'quilt' squares in anticipation of my arrival! 
What a great study by Kinder-kids in both geometry and design! 

Here's an amazing project back again in Texas. 

Yes. It seems that my friends in Texas are doing an outstanding job at supporting original and unique, authentic Art in their youngest students! 

Now let's shift to my newest book, "Red, White and Blue". Here's the largest 'patriotic' collaboration created in response to my patchwork pieces. This is the incredible work of Kinders in central Illinois, under the direction of their US Army Veteran teacher, Carie Ramirez. Their construction paper quilt was created by MARBLE painting the individual papers prior to construction. You seriously need to go see how she pulled that off! 

Every blue moon, my time in a school allows me to create more of a 'residency' where I get to direct the students myself in response to my work. This article documents the student directed work in an Arts magnet school in South Carolina. Oh HAPPY Day! 

Here's the greeting created by mature second graders in Indiana! 

LUV me some fellow bloggers that share my work!! 

Thanks to Hilary for hosting this visit! 

I am always THRILLED to speak at conferences and 

give staff development seminars. 

Sharing my insight with other teachers is a gift. 

BUT when I get to walk into a school that has focused on my work before my arrival? 

That is a gift from heaven! 

During the school year we live in Florida! 

I have oodles of time available to come to your school!
Especially if I don't have to go through airport security to get to you!  

Let's hug in person and continue this conversation up close!! 

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Would you be an ADVOCATE for the Arts? 

Would you pin this image?

Would you bring others to the discussion?

Would you share in your circles of influence? 

Your pin helps! 

As does your tweet and shout out on Google +!!!

A HUGE thanks to +Deborah Stewart for sharing this article from her FB Fanpage with over a million followers! As a result I have had an enormous number of new visitors and I am grateful! 

Will you send out your ripple? 

I am truly interested in your thoughts! 

Please share your insight! 

Please leave your comments below. 

Here's a parallel article from one of my blogging buddies: 
Go over and read 
"My Child's Art is a Pinterest Fail and Why that makes me Happy" 
*Thanks Jamie. 

Speaking of Pinterest...... 
{You remember I do LUV Pinterest, right?}
Just because an image is cute and easy to replicate,
doesn't mean it deserves your time and materials!  

I host a collaborative board for Children's Art. 
I've asked the contributors to pin their PROCESS, open-ended, AUTHENTIC posts. 
I can see that folks deviate from that directive at the holidays. ALAS. 
You will have to sort back through the 8,000+ links to find the best of AUTHENTIC Art. 

I've already done the window shopping for your ease. I am an affiliate at Amazon. When you click from here to do your shopping, I am rewarded financially and it costs you NOTHING! Win-win-win! Thanks for clicking through! 

There is an entire industry of creations to support this amazing work. Maybe just a few more?
These next ones are included for the 'serious' new grandmothers included in my readers.