11 am Wonder Arts: Chalk pastels, watercolors, light/shadow projector

Scribbling!
Scribbling is a very important developmental task. Crawling obviously leads to walking, but many other important kinds of brain development are fostered when a child learns to crawl. So it is with scribbling. Scribbling not only leads to drawing, scribbling provides essential brain development leading to other advanced mental capacities. Children naturally move on to image making, just as crawling children naturally move on to walking. For a child's intellect and personality to develop there needs to be opportunities to explore, be curious, be rewarded for this with recognition and praise.We encourage scribbling by providing a place and materials, by acknowledging the work, and by discussing the work in a nonjudgmental ways. In the child's mind scribbling is not meant to be artwork in the sense that we think of artwork. Scribbling for a child is more about action than about creating a product. It is process. It is activity. I never ask, "What is it?" I might say, "Wow, this looks like you are having fun. Your crayon is really going fast." As the child gets closer to the stage of image making, I might , say, "This part looks neat, can you tell me about it?" As children become verbal and are able describe their work, their minds are learning to think in imaginary and abstract ways. It is our ability to imagine that makes us human. It makes us care. It makes it possible for us to take responsibility.
For the rest of our lives it is our imaginations that allow us to predict the consequences of scribbling on walls and every other thoughtless and considerate act of expression. Our imaginations help us avoid thoughtless acts that bring sadness from those we care about. Our imaginations allow us to be creative, to solve everyday problems, and to make the world a better more joyous place for ourselves and those we care about.
Written by: Marvin Bartel
http://www.bartelart.com/arted/wallscribblers.html

I am always so interested to see the children observing one another. What might they be interpreting. Toddlers are just beginning to learn about the idea of having a friend and what that means. We know that most of the time, it means we like doing the same things. I think this is why so often toddlers imitate other children (both positive and negative aspects). If they try out what they see a peer doing, they can learn if it's something they also like or perhaps they find they don't like it. So "copying" is actually a good thing because it gives them a chance to develop new parts of their personality, as well as a chance to learn if this person will be a "friend" that they can share in similar experiences.

Mom shows. E. the proper way to handle the chalk. This is so important! When it comes to situations of technique, I am all for teaching them the proper ways. Let's set them up for success in this regard!

One of the most immediate, visible, and comprehensible ways in which children can experiment with the physical world involves the movement of objects. Pushing, sliding, rolling, tilting...the possibilities are endlessly fascinating to children. - Chaille and Britain The Young Child as Scientist
E. begins to roll his chalk and he observes the results.

His chalk rolls over to C.'s space.

Wonderfully, an interaction occurs between the pair as C. also begins to roll his chalk. Now they are sharing in an experience that they both find pleasure in. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!"

The teachers in Reggio Emilia, Italy believe it is important to create a feeling of anticipation in children, heighten their expectations and their interest in an experience.

As M. was painting on her coffee filter, I asked her to lift it up to see what might be happening underneath. I couldn't wait to capture her face right at the moment of the discovery!

She can't help but release a smile at marvel at how it printed through the coffee filter onto the paper underneath!