tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post2716402759130094383..comments2024-03-02T05:09:48.055-05:00Comments on RainbowsWithinReach: Response to Process vs. ProductRainbowsWithinReachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-3688856141265554032012-03-11T10:38:38.505-04:002012-03-11T10:38:38.505-04:00I am a former 4 year old teacher... and now I am t...I am a former 4 year old teacher... and now I am the director of a child care center that specializes in children with special needs, who comprise about 45% of our total enrollment. As a teacher, I was more about process... I occasionally did a combo work of process/product in the form of specifically working on skills of listening, and skill development. Those products were few and far between. I mostly enjoyed watching the children create... I never tweaked their art! Art materials were available all the time in my classroom, and the children regularly created their own works freely. It is the way art should be! Recently I accept the position as director and am now leading a large group of teachers, and I see too much of the combo process/product... I'm going to be using this article along with my own examples of children's work to share with my teaching staff the importance of process art for children!!!Jennifer Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-83441167767987922282012-03-04T19:24:57.442-05:002012-03-04T19:24:57.442-05:00Could we just stop calling crafts "art"?...Could we just stop calling crafts "art"? It's not art to glue down six little pieces of paper the teacher gave you so that they match the model she showed you. It's more like doing a little puzzle. My not-so-great-with-fine-motor-stuff child, just turned 4, is bringing those things home all the time, and I don't think they're teaching him a good lesson even if the teacher isn't interfering (and she doesn't seem to be).<br /><br />Beyond not fixing the kids' work, maybe there should be a different approach entirely. If it's time to lean about ducks, show some pictures of in different media (photograph, construction paper craft, watercolor, chalk drawing, whatever) and let the children choose their own media and their own style. It means having more materials available for them, but it will get them doing REAL art... not assembling a puzzle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-67923316514542092322012-03-02T17:59:55.640-05:002012-03-02T17:59:55.640-05:00I am currently teaching preschool for my second ye...I am currently teaching preschool for my second year. We have changes Directors and with that philosophies. My first year teaching we followed a very product oriented day. Often encouraging more color or design. This year our director is quite different where process is key. The one difference I do notice is that the children are often quick to move away from the art table if there are not parameters defined of a completed project. I appreciate the pretty pictures but am much more in line with the process and creativity being encouraged. How do I encourage the process....I don't feel they are experiencing the full process when they are only at the art center for a minute or two.Foodgirl30https://www.blogger.com/profile/01058168202075884305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-10873650849056269182012-02-17T15:38:48.776-05:002012-02-17T15:38:48.776-05:00As a parent of a young child with AWFUL fine motor...As a parent of a young child with AWFUL fine motor skills, this is what I have to say on it. I love it when he brings home projects...whether accurate, perfect, or a total mess. From what I can tell, his teacher's don't "fix" his art...and for that I am thankful. I think if I ever found out that the projects and artwork I treasure so much were actually NOT created by my son, but instead micromanaged into a "perfect" finished product...I'd be heartbroken.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499651420168676473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-13918833626072082202012-02-17T11:15:40.806-05:002012-02-17T11:15:40.806-05:00I seriously need to have an invitation back to ARI...I seriously need to have an invitation back to ARIZONA!!! It's been ages and ages. See what you can do about that, Jannelle. OK? <br /><br />You have my absolute permission to use the images here and those over at my PreK+K Sharing article in your efforts to help your parents grasp the importance of what you're doing from a process-Art foundation. I am honored and flattered that you would ask! Thank you for guiding the parents to understand this significant bedrock concept. I wish you well in your efforts. I'll be thrilled to hear how it goes!RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-30649666471270722472012-02-17T11:11:27.954-05:002012-02-17T11:11:27.954-05:00Oh dear sweet anonymous-friend. My heart sank as I...Oh dear sweet anonymous-friend. My heart sank as I read your comment. The part that is particularly distressing to me is your observation that, "the children are 'AFRAID' to make their own art choice."<br /><br />We have so much room-for-growth in our profession if this is your experience on a regular basis. I hope that your teaching friend is open to a further discussion/introspection on ALL of these issues.... to me, they are the very CORE of what education is all about. Will we let them think for themselves? Will we let them explore their environment? <br /><br />I hope that you also read my initial 'article' over at PreK+K Sharing, the one that launched all of this discussion in the first place. I just reread what I wrote there from the perspective of your comment -- I hope that it helps. <br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Best wishes as you support the growth of the adults in your midst, too.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-79644030232349596622012-02-16T17:30:56.766-05:002012-02-16T17:30:56.766-05:00Debbie
I wanted to know if I would be able to use...Debbie<br /><br />I wanted to know if I would be able to use some of your pictures. We are having our annual Pancake Dinner and Art Show next week. After reading this section of your blog we thought it would be great to have table tents to explain Process Art and Why we do it. <br /><br />Thanks <br />Jannelle<br />PS When are you coming to AZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-25904183329622118342012-02-13T22:08:54.964-05:002012-02-13T22:08:54.964-05:00I work in a daycare setting, one of our 4 yr old t...I work in a daycare setting, one of our 4 yr old teacher does most of all the art for her children. She even tells them what color of crayons they can use on certain projects, green for trees, orange for pumpkins. When I go in her room and do an art activity the children are afraid to make their own art choices. I have said many things to her about this. I am going to show her this article and hopefully it helps her understand the importance of process. She has even thrown away projects away that weren't perfect and made the kiddos do them again. Her art always looks like the cookie cutter version of the activity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-9167918990088058382012-02-12T22:06:51.056-05:002012-02-12T22:06:51.056-05:00Amanda, it sounds like you have a very considered ...Amanda, it sounds like you have a very considered strategy for how you use your Art time and how you use 'crafts' -- each for their own learning goals, each with their own strategies. That sounds like the best of both worlds. I congratulate you for figuring out how to incorporate each. <br /><br />I just advocate for MORE when it comes to the open ended Art experience -- in general. I'm glad that you have a strategy and that its obviously working for you. Thanks for stopping by to share your experience -- and how it works out in your classroom.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-30113090037188127372012-02-08T15:40:22.110-05:002012-02-08T15:40:22.110-05:00I think that there is a difference between ART and...I think that there is a difference between ART and a directed listening activities and crafts. There were times in my kindergarten classroom that I would write instructions on how to create a craft of a duck for example with directions. 1. Cut a large yellow oval and a small yellow circle. 2. Put the small yellow circle on top of the large yellow oval... and the projects all turned out similar, but very different vs our weekly water color painting and writing activity where the students were free to process art. I think that parents appreciate both, but that many traditional teachers have one way for "projects" to look. I may have showed my example, then hid it. My students projects never looked the same, I would encourage them to add bows or bowties, necklaces... to give their projects personality and make them their own.Amandahttp://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-22126410281105500912012-02-06T17:08:02.156-05:002012-02-06T17:08:02.156-05:00CHEERS indeed! callenrogers, it is indeed amazing ...CHEERS indeed! callenrogers, it is indeed amazing and encouraging to see such a response to these issues. It is a delight for me to have any sort of comment on a blog article, but these heart felt and passionate responses are amazing. <br /><br />It breaks my heart to hear the situations you have observed and the response from the children that has followed. You are new to the profession -- with so much to contribute. I am grateful for having stirred the pot for you to consider the ramifications of all of these issues. I can just envision your 'arguement' with the five year old. More sighs. We need to forge ahead doing what we "KNOW" is best practice even when we are sometimes in the minority --- or maybe even MORE so if we feel we are in the minority.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-57761250540788928752012-02-05T10:32:19.410-05:002012-02-05T10:32:19.410-05:00I didn't comment on your original article, but...I didn't comment on your original article, but I was really struck by it. I've come into a kindergarten classroom (not an art room, to be fair) where children spend a great deal of time coloring in duplicated coloring pages. When it's time for children to illustrate stories they've written, they don't see the point in art. One student asked me if they needed to draw a picture and I replied that they should illustrate what they’ve written. She then said, “Well, drawing isn’t that important.” I said everything I could in that moment to defend the value of the arts to a five-year-old, but there wasn’t much I could do.<br /><br />And then, I've seen art teachers take the pencil out of a second grader's hand and erase their work because "trees don't look like that." I've watched these kids fall into despondency after the teacher walks off, and then get reprimanded for "not trying." As a lowly student teacher, there hasn't been much for me to do yet besides offering quiet encouragement and unconditional support for these children. I mean, I faced my fair share of product-oriented art projects growing up, and it didn't stop me from following my love for art (or, well, maybe it did. Come to think of it, I chose not to be an art teacher because it didn't seem like the best use of my skills. Hm...).<br /><br />Thanks for writing these articles. It's nice to see so many people thinking critically about this concept.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-83089295880641314682012-02-05T09:26:38.926-05:002012-02-05T09:26:38.926-05:00greenhouse: you are welcome indeed. The process of...greenhouse: you are welcome indeed. The process of creating is indeed so very personal, that to have flippant response can indeed be devastating -- depending on how resilliant the child's spirit. <br /><br />Thank you so much for taking the time to connect here. Let's keep raising awareness for each other!! In that process children the world over will benefit.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-73721822592932019992012-02-05T09:24:06.267-05:002012-02-05T09:24:06.267-05:00Thank goodness indeed. Ardith what a treasure to h...Thank goodness indeed. Ardith what a treasure to have work from your own childhood. Your parents not only weren't 'fixers' but they cared enough to keep your treasures alive: LITERALLY! How do you respond to the Art Teacher above as she laments over the wholesale loss of creativity in the children's she teaches? <br /><br />Artists unite. Speak louder. We need to articulate these issues in more avenues. Beat the drum. The very creativity of our children-at-large is apparently at stake.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-90675581366280830302012-02-05T09:19:28.456-05:002012-02-05T09:19:28.456-05:00Liz your honesty and insight are such a contributi...Liz your honesty and insight are such a contribution to this 'conversation' and I thank you for "going there." This feeling of 'measuring-up' whether its the teacher comparing whole classrooms of work in the hallway or the parent wanting/needing the child's work to be PERFECT is so telling. <br /><br />Now what? Now that we've identified what has perhaps been unspoken -- now what. You've given me so much to consider and I appreciate that, as I attempt to steer this conversation into the future.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-34584619747796164232012-02-05T09:14:48.826-05:002012-02-05T09:14:48.826-05:00Can't wait to watch the TED video, Zina. I'...Can't wait to watch the TED video, Zina. I'm so grateful for your bringing it to my attention and to your leaving the link here in the 'archives' for others. I've been thinking about your daughter's feeling of her project that 'wasn't right' all night. It seems to me that the moment that happens is a crossroads of such a critical nature. KUDOS to your parenting to realize where to head next to reinforce her confidence!!! PROCESS!! <br /><br />The disconnect for children to 'suddenly' think they can't dance, can't draw, can't sing, can't, can't, can't is a reflection on all of the adults, media, the educational system -- who can we blame? When does it happen? How can we stem the tide? <br /><br />I'm so grateful for your continuing the conversation and inviting others in.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-5677281881100655562012-02-05T00:19:15.776-05:002012-02-05T00:19:15.776-05:00WOWZERS!!! We people of the rainbow really do thin...WOWZERS!!! We people of the rainbow really do think alike. That's almost eerie cool! Always great to connect with you my rainbow-friend. I LUV knowing how clearly connected we are. Thanks so much for coming by and sharing the link!!!!RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-43101899127622624982012-02-05T00:14:26.478-05:002012-02-05T00:14:26.478-05:00mejaka, I really do appreciate your coming over he...mejaka, I really do appreciate your coming over here to leave your thoughts 'permanently' as they add so much to the conversation. I am sitting here in utter amazement that a teacher would 'complete' a project for an ABSENT child. Crummy buttons!!!! Where does this parental competition come from? Society? That learning to sit on your hands is a good skill to practice as you will need it through out your parenting chapters. Thanks again!RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-40382905604686749062012-02-05T00:10:11.295-05:002012-02-05T00:10:11.295-05:00Thanks so much for joining our conversation here. ...Thanks so much for joining our conversation here. I am grateful for all of the experiences shared. My fave, "I love seeing the unique work of each child." I bet ya a nickel that they know that about you. Children have such a sense of truth about such feelings. They recognize love. Lucky kiddos!!RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-9220752410324049352012-02-05T00:07:52.666-05:002012-02-05T00:07:52.666-05:00My Flying Pigs and mejaka..... so much to respond ...My Flying Pigs and mejaka..... so much to respond to in your piggy-back thoughts here. Me thinks that we've stumbled upon an amazing issue here, adults/teachers/parent-volunteers who are 'tinkering' with the art product projects for a more pleasing outcome for parents. YE GADS! Whole classes of children whose art work has been re-aligned? <br /><br />Experimenting, being given a wide-open playing field to explore is a novel idea for many. There's so much of this 'cookie-cutter' mentality. Where does our innate creativity 'go' and when? Seven year olds who are perplexed as to where to begin? I can imagine adults stymied, but seven year olds? Sigh.RainbowsWithinReachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539319184558859828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-56880257903211462632012-02-04T23:24:14.575-05:002012-02-04T23:24:14.575-05:00I never thought I "fixed" my students...I never thought I "fixed" my students' artwork over the years, but I am certainly going to pay closer attention to NOT doing this from now on. I just hope I haven't inadvertently destroyed a child's creative process with a flippant remark or judgemental suggestion. Thanks for raising my awareness on my own practice. Process is DEFINITELY the way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-5574479374152413952012-02-04T23:17:07.860-05:002012-02-04T23:17:07.860-05:00Omgosh saw this post thanks to Zina posting on FB....Omgosh saw this post thanks to Zina posting on FB. Before I had to quit teaching I faced this every day in the classroom. My students knew they were free to create how their heart led them but it was the parents I had to educate as to the why. This is what made a difference: There are many, varied, and unusual ways to create any piece of artwork or solve a problem. Teaching kids early to think out of the box would give their creativity a solid foundation as they grow. Another way to reinforce this is to expose your kids to as much artwork from artists as possible. Let them build their own framework as to what a flower looks like in relation to abstract, realism, collage etc. As an artist now, I am grateful to have my "weird" work from my childhood. It has shown me my crestive path of being unique rather than ordinary.... thank goodness my parents weren't fixers!Ardith Goodwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14268302286376826735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-43012378506918789692012-02-04T23:13:20.428-05:002012-02-04T23:13:20.428-05:00This totally hit home...When I was a new first gra...This totally hit home...When I was a new first grade teacher, I was so shocked to see my classroom's artwork/projects compared to some of the other first grade classes. In one particular class, every single child's piece of art looked exactly the same, and was perfect. As a young, naive teacher, I first thought that she must be a much better art teacher than I was! As time went on, I finally understood that she must be doing much of their work herself or at least fixing it. With my room right across the hall, I actually felt pressure to get my student's stuff "just right". After much reflection, I realized that it was not about what I could do, it was the process of what the students were doing and learning along the way.<br />Now, as a parent, I am much more tempted to "fix" my child's projects and school work than I was with my students...I want her stuff to be perfect and have to stop myself from trying to make it my work and let it be hers.Liznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-91366552838531309912012-02-04T23:05:02.882-05:002012-02-04T23:05:02.882-05:00Oh, and as a *parent,* if I see this cookie-cutter...Oh, and as a *parent,* if I see this cookie-cutter obviously-done-by-the-teacher stuff coming home, it goes straight in the trash the second my kid isn't looking. Either she flat-out didn't do it, or if she did do it, it was such a miserable, personality-less process that she hated it. :-) Thankfully, that RARELY happens.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16068608303307043830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1460877046697953481.post-23982940780711172332012-02-04T22:25:58.656-05:002012-02-04T22:25:58.656-05:00I took an art class with my niece a few years ago....I took an art class with my niece a few years ago. All the parents were fixing their kid's work and it was a Picasso class! I thought perhaps it was because I wasn't a parent... that I didn't get it.<br /><br />Just this week my daughter came home from school frustrated with an art project because it "wasn't right." Until I saw your post I actually didn't think much of it. THANK YOU for snapping me out of it. We obviously need to do more open projects at home.<br /><br />Have you seen this video already?<br />http://letslassothemoon.com/2012/01/24/schools-kill-creativity/<br /><br />Thanks again!Zina :: Let's Lasso the Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08037632268475623995noreply@blogger.com