Essential part of learning
For years we’ve been talking about the value of arts integration and the value of connecting the arts to other content. This article was written in 2016 but it includes points that are valuable for understanding the value of a drawing curriculum and advocacy.
The title is Why is teaching kids to draw not a more important part of the curriculum? It was written by Ari Chand for The Conversation which is a publication supported by the University of Newcastle Australia.
Mr. Chand touches on many valuable points about the role and impact of learning to draw which include the following:
- the role that drawing plays in cognitive development
- supporting learning to write
- thinking creatively
- developing hand-eye coordination
- sharpening analytic skills
- conceptualizing ideas
The author promotes the importance of teaching drawing in art classes and the benefits to other subjects. High school students can use drawing skills in many ways including the following:
- visual mapping
- reflective thinking
- organizing and presenting information
- communication that cuts across language barriers
The author includes six developmental stages that are similar to Viktor Lowenfeld’s artistic developmental stages. (Lowenfeld’s ideas were included in many art teachers education during the post-war period.) Below are the stages included in this article.
- Scribbling stage: ages 2-4
- Pre-schematic stage: ages 4-7
- Schematic stage: ages 7-9
- Realistic stage: ages 9-12
- Pseudo-naturalistic stage: ages 12-14
- Crisis of adolescence/ artistic decision: ages 14-17
Mr. Chand provides many ideas on the impact on the drawing curriculum and how drawing can help you think creatively. He has put together information on the impact on the medical field, science and technology and much more.
I suggest that you read the entire article yourself. As I said there is information that can influence and support a drawing curriculum as well as an article you may want to share with administrators, colleagues, parents, school board and most importantly your students!
me arts ed 