Welcome to an engaging discussion on the importance of art in children’s lives, especially during challenging times. I’m Melissa Cleaver, the Outreach Manager for Common Sense Education in Omaha Public Schools, Nebraska. Today, I’m joined by Bob Reaker, a seasoned educator and artist, to explore why art is crucial for kids today.
Bob Reaker has a rich background in art education, with 30 years of experience in Lincoln Public Schools. He spent 28 years teaching elementary art and two years as an administrator. Currently, he teaches at a Title I school in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, and is actively involved with the Nebraska Art Teachers Association and the National Art Education Association. Bob also collaborates with Dr. Trina Harlow from Kansas State University, contributing to an online community for K-12 art teachers.
In times of social distancing, art has become more vital than ever. Artists have swiftly adapted by creating online platforms for children to engage with art. For instance, Mo Willems offers daily drawing lessons, emphasizing that while science addresses the current crisis, art sustains us. Art connects us to our humanity and aids in mindfulness, providing a creative outlet for emotional expression.
Art is essential for children as it balances academic demands with creative expression. Engaging in art can significantly reduce stress-related hormones, offering a therapeutic escape. It also serves as a historical record, capturing our experiences during these unprecedented times.
Supporting creativity at home can be challenging, but here are three key strategies:
Adults can nurture creativity by providing space and materials for children to explore. It’s important to allow children to express themselves freely without micromanaging their creative process.
Children often need help generating ideas. Asking open-ended questions can stimulate critical thinking and encourage them to delve deeper into their creative projects.
Recognizing that not all children have equal access to art materials is crucial. Encouraging creativity with everyday items, such as junk mail or household objects, can help overcome this barrier.
Art can take many forms, from creating with laundry to reenacting famous paintings using household items. The key is to inspire children to explore and express themselves in diverse ways.
In conclusion, art is indispensable for maintaining balance during challenging times. It fosters emotional expression, critical thinking, and creativity. Thank you for joining us in this discussion, and we hope you found it insightful and inspiring.
Explore an online art gallery or museum to understand the diverse forms of art. Reflect on how these artworks express emotions and historical contexts. Consider how you can incorporate these elements into your own creative projects.
Participate in a workshop that combines art-making with mindfulness practices. Focus on how creating art can reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being. Share your experiences and discuss how this can be applied in educational settings.
Engage in a challenge to create art using only everyday household items. Document your process and final creation. Reflect on the accessibility of art materials and how this activity can be adapted for children with limited resources.
Practice generating creative ideas by responding to open-ended questions related to art projects. Discuss how these questions can stimulate critical thinking and creativity in children. Develop a list of questions to use in future teaching scenarios.
Join a discussion on how art serves as a historical record and a medium for emotional expression. Analyze specific artworks from different periods and cultures. Consider how these insights can be integrated into your educational approach.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any personal identifiers and streamlining the content for clarity:
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Welcome, everyone, to Distance Learning with Common Sense Education. I’m Melissa Cleaver, the Outreach Manager for Common Sense Education in Omaha Public Schools, Nebraska. Today, we have Bob Reaker with us, a longtime friend and former colleague. We collaborated extensively in the arts, and today we will discuss why kids need art more than ever.
Just a heads up, this session will be recorded for our YouTube series, and links to the resources we discuss will be available in the chat below.
Bob, could you share a bit about your background and what you’re currently doing?
Sure! The collage behind me is a piece I created for an art show, currently displayed at the Noise Art Gallery in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. I have 30 years of experience in Lincoln Public Schools, spending 28 years in elementary art and two years as an administrator. I’m now teaching at a Title I school in downtown Lincoln with about 350 students. When remote learning began, we spent two weeks reviewing materials and then created new content. Our art department utilized Google Classroom and local TV stations for instruction.
I also teach an adjunct course at Nebraska Wesleyan University and have been involved with the National Art Education Association. Currently, I’m returning as president of the Nebraska Art Teachers Association. Additionally, I work closely with Dr. Trina Harlow from Kansas State University, who started an online group for K-12 art teachers, which has become a great resource.
Now, let’s dive into why the arts are becoming increasingly important during this time of social distancing. Many artists were quick to adapt, creating online spaces for kids to engage with art. For example, Mo Willems has been offering daily drawing lessons for children. He stated that while science will get us out of this situation, the arts will keep us going. This highlights how the arts connect us to our humanity and help with mindfulness, especially during a crisis.
Art allows for emotional expression, which is crucial for children as they balance academics with creative outlets. Research shows that engaging in creative activities can significantly lower stress-related hormones. The arts serve as a vital connection to our past and can help document our experiences during this time.
As educators, we face challenges in supporting creativity at home. Here are three key ideas to consider:
1. **Supporting Creativity**: Adults can facilitate creativity by providing space and materials for children to create. It’s essential to encourage children to express themselves without managing every aspect of their learning.
2. **Inspiration**: Children often need help generating ideas. Asking open-ended questions can prompt them to think critically about their work and explore further.
3. **Access to Materials**: We must acknowledge that access to materials is not equal. Encouraging creativity with everyday items, like junk mail or household objects, can help bridge this gap.
Art can take many forms, and it’s important to broaden our definition of what art is. It can be anything from laundry art to reenacting famous paintings with household items. The key is to encourage children to explore and express themselves creatively.
In conclusion, the arts are essential for maintaining balance during these challenging times. They provide opportunities for emotional expression, critical thinking, and creativity. Thank you for joining us today, and I hope you found this discussion valuable.
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This version maintains the essence of the conversation while ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Art – The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. – The gallery’s new exhibition showcases contemporary art that challenges traditional boundaries.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. – The director’s creativity was evident in the innovative set design and unique storytelling approach.
Expression – The process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings through art, music, or performance. – Dance is a powerful form of expression that can convey complex emotions without words.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially in a formal setting, which can include the study of art and its history. – Art education plays a crucial role in developing students’ critical thinking and appreciation for diverse cultures.
Children – Young human beings below the age of puberty, often engaged in learning and exploration through creative activities. – The art workshop for children encouraged them to explore their imaginations and express themselves freely.
Inspiration – The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. – The artist found inspiration in the vibrant colors of the natural landscape for her latest series of paintings.
Materials – The substances or components used by artists to create works of art, such as paint, clay, or digital tools. – The sculptor carefully selected materials that would best convey the texture and form of his vision.
Mindfulness – The quality or state of being conscious or aware, often used in art to enhance focus and presence during the creative process. – Practicing mindfulness helped the musician to perform with greater emotional depth and connection to the audience.
Emotional – Relating to a person’s feelings, often expressed through art to evoke a response from the audience. – The emotional intensity of the actor’s performance left the audience in awe.
Engagement – The act of being involved or participating in an activity, often referring to the interaction between the audience and a work of art or performance. – The interactive installation encouraged engagement by allowing visitors to contribute to the evolving artwork.
