Journal Entry #3

Journal 3: How do Sylvia Kind’s ideas about children’s art relate to those you have held? How can they guide you as you approach practice?

Narrative was the learning type that interested me the most, probably because that is the type of learner I was as a child. For me, everything had to tell some kind of story. This is probably why I hated math so much. I think as instructors, it is important to keep in mind the difference between what she calls “invention” and “description” (Kind 13). The difference between a child telling his or her own experiences and a child trying to escape their circumstances by inventing experiences is crucial. I think that these two types of narrative art could be used as tools for using visual art as therapy. The way a child views their world, as shown through their artwork, can be a great jumping off point to talk with them about their lives.

Experiential was an interesting type to read about as well, because it reminded me that children are physical learners. Children like to use their hands and bodies to learn. We’ve talked in class about babies using their mouths to test out new things in their lives. As children grow, they test out new things by using their bodies. From an early age, children relate to the world by showing adults their experiences (for example, a child will imitate the bird they saw) using their bodies. It is important as instructors to remember children’s natural physicality when we are teaching art.

I found the similarities between these two learning styles interesting, again because I am characteristic of these types of learning. I like art to tell a story, whether it is a painting, a play, a movie, or a sculpture. I am also a very kinesthetic learner: I need to do something with my hands, not just see it done, in order to understand. The learning types described in this chapter apply not only to children, but to adults as well. As instructors, we need to keep in mind all the different types of learners, but we also need to play to our own strengths. Narrative and experiential learning are my strengths and are two areas in which I hope I can excel when I am instructing art.