Before I had kids I was a preschool teacher. I loved teaching. I especially enjoyed the creativity that teaching 3 and 4 year old children allowed me. I loved to create with the children I taught and I was passionate about allowing them the freedom and opportunity to create and learn. I was also passionate about explaining the importance of the creative process. I spent a lot of time explaining that that art is not about producing a predefined product, art is about being free to create. Art is about the process. Art is about enjoyment and learning. I spent a lot of time explaining why there are not 25 identical snowmen stuck on our walls in the winter, and no identical daffodils when spring finally arrived gain.
Now I am a parent, I still love creating and being artistic along side my own children. And these days I blog about my passion for art and creativity with young children. I still seem to spend time explaining why my passion is for open ended art and creativity rather than craft projects with a predefined end product. But I’m going to stop banging on about that now. Now when someone asks me about my thoughts on art and young children I am just going to send them a link to this ebook.
Art Not Craft – The process of learning creatively.By Christie Burnett from Childhood101. (this is an affiliate link)
Christie’s ebook explains things so much better than I ever could!
‘Art Not Craft’ provides a comprehensive look at the theory behind art for young children, why providing open ended creative experiences is important, and how art and creativity support children’s learning. Plus it is full of practical, doable, ideas for drawing, painting, print making, collage and sculpture.There are lots of great ideas that you can try out with your kids straight away. I especially like the suggestions on minimising mess!
I really believe this book is not only an important read for parents and teachers alike, but also an enjoyable one. And one lucky picklebums reader is going to win a copy thanks to Childhood101!
To be in the running to win a copy of ‘Art Not Craft’ you need to follow the link above to find out more about ‘Art Not Craft’ and leave a comment on this post telling me why you need to read this ebook. You have until 9am next Wednesday April 6th to enter. The winner will be chosen via random number generator and must leave a valid email address to be eligible.
I need a copy of this E-book to add to my collection of resources that I use & recommend when I’m teaching my child studies students. I teach Certificate III in children’s services in Australia and I’m always on the look out for quality resources to pass on to my students and creativity is something that I am very passionate about!
Another early childhood teacher/parent to two little ones here!
I would like this book to help me as a parent and as a teacher. As my own personal interests heavily lie in books and music, I notice that as a teacher I really focused heavily on these two areas. Hey, we work with what we know, right?
But, I think it is important that I am able to expand my repertoire! For me and for the kids in my life!
Gill xo
I need to win this book!
I have 2 older boys who love art, but I have no idea where to start with them or what to provide (beyond play dough, markers, paper) and a 1 year old who is just starting to get into markers etc. I am the least arty person around and this book sounds like it could be very helpful.
Yay! What a great giveaway! I’d love this book to inspire me to overcome my stumbling blocks to doing art with my children.. that is choosing projects that are suiable, encouraging creativity, and tips for minimising mess! Mess is a BIG stumbling block for me.
My kids and I adore doing craft at home. I would love this book as I am running out of ideas ! It looks great :-)
I love crafting with my kids. The older they get the more I can see their natural creative sides. I’m always looking for ideas for ways they can express themselves artistically.
I’ve been seeing this e-book all over the net and it sounds great. I’d love to get my hands on a copy for my dd’s. They love art and I really want to add it more and more into their everyday living.
Love this blog and also Childhood 101 too! I would love to win this…I am DESPERATELY trying to minimise screen time for Miss 2 and we love the artsy crafty type things…I am always looking for ideas.
Hi!
I think Art Not Craft might just be the answer to my prayers! I have four kids, including two very busy 20 month old girls, and I keep putting off the creative urges that delve beyond crayons and glue sticks. I was a teacher in my past life and getting the creative juices flowing was a part of my being. It disappeared when my twins arrived! I want to regain these juices, and this eBook sounds so perfect! Please help me!!
Lisa, Campbell (11), Ella (9), Grace & Lily (20mths)