The Arts in Children's Lives: Aesthetic Education in Early Childhood, 1/e

Age Range: Adult
Authors: Mary Renck Jalongo, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and Laurie Nicholson Stamp, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Publication Date: 1997
Number of Pages: 277
ISBN: 0-205-14567-1
Cost: $30.33 Paper

Publisher: Allyn and Bacon, Inc.
Phone:1-800-666-9433

Publisher's Description:

The purpose of this book is to unify the arts into a holistic concept of aesthetic education for young children. Its aims are: to convince teachers that the arts are for everyone--and essential to the daily curriculum; to show teachers how the arts build children's interest, motivation and learning in all subject areas; to demonstrate how teachers can draw on a wide array of arts resources to enrich their curriculum; and to address the developmental appropriateness of arts activities and show how they support the goals of multicultural education.

The Arts in Children's Lives provides many examples of teachers who designed an arts-based curriculum and offers practical, concrete suggestions about evaluating children's growth in key areas of the arts: music and movement, art and craft, play and enactment.

Features

Integrated approach to the arts includes music and movement, art and craft, play and enactment. Illustrates what an integrated, arts-based curriculum looks like and how it functions.

Practical examples, experiences and illustrations including:

The Child Artist at Work- chapter opening vignette.

Learning about the Arts from Children--end-of-chapter case study profile of a particular child or a class engaged in meaningful arts experiences.

Integrating the Arts--end of chapter feature with suggestions for high-quality arts experiences for children.

Samples of children's art throughout.

End-of-chapter book lists which encourage exploration of the arts.

Strong pedagogical features encourage reflection and assimilation:

Theory into Practice--Shows how theory and research undergird pedagogy.

The Artist in You--Provides perspective on how teachers' personal experiences in the arts influence their attitudes and behaviors in the classroom.

Situations and Solutions-- Presents several difficult, real-life incidents that challenge teachers' thinking and call upon them to apply what they have learned.

Individual and Group Experiences for Teachers--In class and out of class activities that are useful in building awareness of the arts in early childhood.

Separate chapter on family influences on the arts and guidance for teachers who wish to interact more successfully with parents around arts issues (Ch. 4).

Appendix of resource materials.

Table of Contents

"Chapter Reflections" and "The Child Artist at Work" appear at the beginning of each chapter and "References" and "Conclusion" appear at the end.

Preface.

I. YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE ARTS.

1. Aesthetic Education and the Arts.

Understanding Aesthetic Experiences.
Theory Into Practice: Brian Cambourne's Conditions for Learning.
Aesthetics as a Way of Knowing.
Issues in Aesthetic Education.
Features of Aesthetic Education.
Developing an Awareness of Aesthetics.
Conclusion.
Learning About the Arts from Children: Profile of Matthew: "I Making Music!"
The Artist in You: The Effects of Early Experience on Later Experience.
Situations and Solutions: Is It Art?
Integrating the Arts: A Garden Center Project in the Kindergarten.
Individual and Group Projects for Teachers: Exploring the Arts.

2. Contributions of the Arts to Children's Lives.

The Arts and Children's Learning.
Theory Into Practice: The Symbolic Function of the Arts.
The Arts and Young Children's Development.
Areas of the Arts.
The Arts for Every Child.
Conclusion.
Learning About the Arts from Children: An Interview with Cynthia Sydnia.
The Artist in You: Stacy's Story.
Situations and Solutions: Is It Developmentally Appropriate?
Integrating the Arts: The Arts in an Inclusive Classroom.
Individual and Group Projects for Teachers: Creating Books with Moving Parts.

3. How Children's Artistry Develops.

How Important Is Artistic and Aesthetic Growth?
Creativity in Early Childhood.
Theory Into Practice: E. Paul Torrance on Creativity.
Aesthetic Assets of Early Childhood.
Play: The Foundation for the Arts in Early Childhood.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
Developmental Sequence for the Arts.
Learning Skills and Mastering Techniques.
Conclusion.
Learning About the Arts from Children: Interview with Steven.
The Artist in You: Appreciating the Beauty of Nature: Marissa's Story.
Situations and Solutions: Does This Environment Support Creativity?
Integrating the Arts: An Author/Illustrator Study by Jamie Silk.
Individual and Group Projects for Teachers: A Photography Project.

II. THE HOME AND SCHOOL ARTS ENVIRONMENTS.

4. Parents' Roles in Supporting Artistic Growth.

Family Influences on Children and the Arts.
Theory Into Practice: Learning from Emergent Literacy Research.
Characteristics of Home Environments That Support the Arts.
Moving Beyond Elitism in the Arts.
Educating Families About Ways to Support Children's Growth in the Arts.
Communicating the Value of the Arts to Families.
Conclusion.
Learning About the Arts from Children: Interviews with Four-Year-Olds and Their Parents.
The Artist in You: Informal Ways That Families Support the Arts.
Situations and Solutions: Articulating a Philosophy of Art to Families.
Integrating the Arts: Parents and Families as Resources for the Arts Program.
Individual and Group Projects for Teachers: Take-Home Packets and Kits.

5. Teachers' Roles in Supporting Artistic Growth.

Developing an Arts Environment in the Classroom.
Theory Into Practice: Teresa Amabile on The Teacher's Role in Creativity.
Modeling Enthusiasm for the Arts.
Encouraging Discussion About Arts Processes and Products.
Motivating and Encouraging the Child Artist.
Supplying Appropriate Materials for Young Children.
Stimulating Children's Reflective Thinking.
Providing High-Quality Arts Experiences.
Metaphors for the Teacher's Role in the Arts.
Conclusion.
Learning About the Arts from Children: The Imagination of Meghan, Matty, and Lauren.
The Artist in You: Alice Re-Examines Her Assumptions About Art.
Situations and Solutions: Thinking and Teaching More Creatively.
Integrating the Arts: Jyotsna Pattnaik's Indian Folk Arts Class for Children.
Individual and Group Projects for Teachers: Using Prop Boxes to Encourage Enactment.

III. PLANNING, ASSESSING, AND RETHINKING THE ARTS CURRICULUM.

6. The Integrated Arts Curriculum.

7. Assessment Issues in the Arts and Aesthetics.
What is Assessment? Understanding Assessment. Theory Into Practice: Research on the Human Brain. Principles of Performance Assessment. Informal Assessment Methods. Portfolio Assessment. Criteria for Assessing Arts Programs. Conclusion. Learning About the Arts from Children: Profile of John: "I'm Two Thirteens!" The Artist in You: Nathan Student Teaches "Against the Grain". Situations and Solutions: Avoiding the Talent Scout Mentality. Integrating the Arts: What is an Artist? Individual and Group Projects for Teachers: Guidelines for Portfolio Assessment in the Arts.
8. Awakening the Artist in All of Us. The Arts in a Technological Society. The Deeper Mission of Schooling. Theory Into Practice: Mihaly Csikszentmihaly and the Psychology of Optimal Experience. Community Based Arts Education. Overarching Goals of Aesthetic Experiences. Becoming an Arts Advocate. Awakening to the Artist in You. Conclusion. Learning About the Arts from Children: Profile of Burkely, A Budding Naturalist. The Artist in You: A Self Assessment. Situations and Solutions: Seeking Professional Development in the Arts. Integrating the Arts: Children's Museums and Multicultural Education. Individual and Group Projects for Teachers: Learning What it Means to Be Artful.
Appendices. A Child's Bill of Rights in Music. Sources for Toys and Music Materials. Song Picture Books. Traditional Early Childhood Songs. Professional Organizations and Journals in Arts Education.

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