Page 15 - LESSION 13.pmd

How Children Learn (Early Learning and Teaching)

13.6.6 Art and Aesthetics

All children have the potential for creativity although they may differ in the
Notes degree of creativity. Creativity does not take place in a vacuum. The more

experiences children have, the better are the foundations on which they will
build their creative efforts. A stimulating and encouraging environment promotes
creativity in children. Opportunities and facilities for free play, dramatic and
constructive play fosters creativity in children. An authoritarian and strict
atmosphere in the ECCE centre may impede the development of creativity in
children.

Major areas that need attention for development of creative and aesthetic
appreciation are:
• Creative and aesthetic appreciation through arts– Activities like drawing
and colouring, painting, printing, tearing, cutting and pasting, making a collage,
clay modelling, paper folding, etc. may be the part of the curriculum.

• Creative movement: Children may be engaged in activities like action
rhymes, rhythmic movement like dancing, finger clicking, foot stamping
and clapping to a beat.

• Creative drama– Activities to suggestions like, walk like an elephant, hope
like a rabbit, etc. Dramatising stories or situations by creating their own
dialogues and actions and games like dumb charade promote creativity.
• Creative thinking- Free play, dramatic and make-believe play, constructive
play need to be promoted. Open ended questions stimulate imagination and
enhance creativity. Creating stories and rhymes promote creativity.

• Development of aesthetic appreciation - Developing sensitivity towards
colour and beauty in the environment is essential. Simple activities such as
decorating the classroom, making the classroom display attractive and relevant
at the eye level of the children, change of classroom displays as often as
feasible, nature walks and outings, drawing children’s attention towards
beauty of nature and encouraging them to verbalise their appreciation,
promotes aesthetic appreciation. Aesthetic experience through music and
art can easily be a part of the daily routine like, beginning the day with songs,
group movements and the physical exercises. Each day needs a time for
songs, when children can repeat songs or rhymes and enjoy.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 13.3

Answer the following:
(a) Write any two cognitive skills that need attention at the ECCE stage.
(b) List any three pre-number concepts.
(c) List any two activities for personal, social and emotional development.
74 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION