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The Expressive Arts in Early Childhood

Student's Name:Xiaoqing Li

Course Title:Planning for inclusive, integrated arts learning

Date:6/21/2021
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The Expressive Arts in Early Childhood

Introduction

Learning in early childhood is crucial as it contributes to developing a children's mind in

their entire life. Therefore, early childhood learning acts as a base and foundation for developing

a child's mental capabilities. Learning artistic skills is expressed in early childhood through

comprehensive concepts like drama, visual arts, music, and drama. It is important to note that all

works of art have a meaning, thus making it difficult to separate the artistic work from game

teaching and learning in children. Furthermore, the origin of art represents the society from

where they originate because they express both individual and societal views (Georgia, 2021).

Therefore, as children grow, they keenly understand and observe all the activities in their

surroundings.

Importance of Early Childhood Learning

The relationship between society, mind, and family makes the basis for early childhood

learning. As children develop a sense of being and belonging, they begin to familiarize

themselves with various aspects of society. In childhood, there is much appreciation from

learning that creates curiosity for the children, and the teachers too are encouraged to give more

teachings. Therefore, art play helps the children to understand society better and to understand

the reasons behind their experiences. Early childhood is perceived to be the most creative stage

of human development. The children are perceived to have the capability to utilize artistic

knowledge to expand their minds and thinking.

Notably, artistic learning is not involved n any academic knowledge. Instead, artistic

learning is associated with natural skills like creativity and imagination. Also, another complex
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method of learning and understanding of the knowledge is involved. It may include problem-

solving and interpretation of the artistic play. In the process, the children's minds are prepared for

more stages of development in life. They become ready for academic knowledge in schools.

Nevertheless, the learning and teaching of arts in early childhood has more benefits outside the

entertainment and instrumental scope. The development of artistic capabilities will help the

children know how they should associate and carry out themselves.

Current Research In Early Childhood Learning

According to Abraham (2021), early childhood has positive effects on developing a

child's cognitive development. The decision and views were based on personal experiences,

which can be depicted in the current society. For example, many children who start attending

school in the early stages of development have a high probability of being clever and

understanding better than the children who start schooling late. Also, some researchers like

Mcclure et al. (2017) have warned against too much concentration on formal education rather

than informal education. Formal education focuses on academic knowledge that cannot expand

the children's minds to a broader perspective. On the other hand, informal education is most

acceptable because it involves artistic knowledge and teaches children about practical learning

skills challenging to forget. Also, research has been conducted to analyze learning in various

stages of development and how artistic plays affect children's capability when learning.

Plans for Effective Learning in Early Childhood.

It is important to note that children are naturally curious and would like to explain every

phenomenon or any queer activity in their environment. Often, they explore on their own, and as

a result, they form connections with their brain for long-lasting memories. Therefore, even
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though art is a natural way of gaining knowledge, it appropriate to have a good plan for early

childhood learning and master the knowledge to effective learning to ensure that the kind of

knowledge imparted to the children is easily understood and unforgettable. For example, it is

appropriate to employ artistic works that the children can easily understand when educating

children through artistic plays. On the other hand, it could be inappropriate to educate children

using complicated terminologies and complex arts because their minds and brains are young and

are undergoing development.

Imitating a child's actions will contribute to the overall improvement in the learning

capabilities of the child. For instance, when a child is drawing a picture, it could be appropriate

to imitate their actions rather than drawing a different picture by yourself. However, if you draw

the picture better than the child, then they will be discouraged and unable to learn in the end.

Therefore, when planning for effective learning for the child, there should be a consideration of

psychology and the child's emotions.

Nonetheless, it could be appropriate to provide unlimited choices to the child when

learning. For example, in situations where visual arts are involved, the child can access various

learning materials to boost their understanding. Learning materials that can be gathered include

paintings, multi-colored pencils, crayons, and marker pens. Furthermore, during learning in early

childhood, the children should be supported rather than being led (Hugo, 2018). As a result, the

children will feel entitled to the achievements at the end of the learning process. In addition, they

will find the motivation to learn more and become creative.

The teacher should remain open-minded to the children when imparting knowledge to

them in their early stages of development. Open-mindedness will enable the children to have

their imaginations about the field under study. For example, in media arts, the children should be
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allowed to express their minds about the phenomenon under study to enhance their creativity. In

addition, the teacher should emphasize the process of learning rather than the overall process of

learning. When children are encouraged through actions of well-structured artistic work, they can

find a lot of motivation throughout the learning process. Furthermore, they will express

themselves without fear and ask questions on areas where they have limited knowledge. On the

other hand, the results of the children's actions should not be praised much because a child will

begin to develop an interest in the final results rather than the stages which he went through

during the process. Also, the child will begin to have an interest in praise and attention-seeking

rather than doing what they wanted to do. Therefore, encouraging effort in early childhood

learning is better than the results.

Use of Music in Early Childhood Learning

Music has a historical background to the ability of an individual to understand issues in

the universe. Its history can be traced back to ancient days when human beings were undergoing

evolution and civilization. It is vital to note that music is used as a tool in early childhood

learning because it is the first phenomenon that children encounter even before they are born.

When children are in their mother's womb, they can hear physiological sounds like their mother's

heartbeat (McClure, et al., 2017). Therefore, children are likely to develop an understanding of

environmental surroundings, good communication skills, and the development of their

memories.

When using music as a tool for early childhood learning, it is beneficial to be ken with

the music's presentation by using the diverse elements of music. Music tempo will help to guide

the children and have a better understanding as they develop. Also, the understanding of the

musical elements will improve the literacy of children. Musical elements that can be applied
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include rhythm, pitch, dynamic, and expression. When the pitch is applied in music, the child

will try to imitate the patterns of the song through physical movements and body percussion. In

the process, they develop aural skills that are beneficial in learning and development.

Nonetheless, as the children imitate the sound movements, they can compose their songs as their

minds expand.

Apart from making their music, children can interpret the music and respond to it. For

example, the use of lullabies to children helps them feel soothed and sleep. Therefore, they

respond to the intention of the music by sleeping. As they develop slowly, they also develop their

composition by creating inspiration from the music. However, the pattern of the music influences

their ability to learn. For example, the tempo will help the children understanding the speed of

the music. Incorporating fast music and slow music will enhance learning in early childhood.

When children play different rhythms, they gain the ability to memorize phrases which

develops their memory. For instance, percussion skills like untuned elements, tuned instruments,

body percussion, and improvised objects will enable them to enjoy the song's rhythm while still

learning (Hugo, 2018). However, the educator should learn that the children will not be

interested in the musical instruments but rather how they will be using the instruments to relay

information. As soon as the children learn about all the elements of music, they will compose

songs on their own, which will be an illustration of the expansion of their mental capabilities.

Use of Visual Arts in Early Childhood Learning

Visual arts in learning involve artistic drawings, sculpture, collage, and textile art to

enhance learning. Visual arts are beneficial to early childhood education because it is a way of

exploration, communication, and expression. Different works of art have different meanings that
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require the mind to analyze and interpret. By learning and examining how that different artwork

is portrayed, children can identify their similarities and differences. For example, using drawings

and colors will challenge the children to differentiate between the colors, and learning is

enhanced. Elements of visual arts that enhance learning in children include line, shape, value,

color, and texture.

The educator should ensure using the different materials to make the children sensate and

curious to learn in visual arts. For example, in craftsmanship, the children should be asked to

compare various textures and identify the differences (Georgia, 2021). Notably, storytelling

should make a significant part of early childhood learning as it lays a strong foundation for

children to develop communication skills and the ability to tell their experiences. Children can

also incorporate the storytelling and drawing aspects to improve their ability to read and write.

Children are supposed to experience visual art in both two-dimensional and three-

dimensional perspectives. This is because both forms of visual art require observation,

imagination, and creativity to understand their scope. Therefore, children will slowly understand

how every aspect affects their day-to-day life and can make informed decisions. The ability of

the children to make such decisions impacts their learning in a way that is not easily forgettable.

Visual arts are a material-based technique, and when incorporated in early childhood learning,

there is no need to emphasize the procedures and techniques to be used.

Use of Media Arts in Early Childhood Learning.

Media arts involve the use of mass communication, visual and textual elements to

enhance learning. By using media arts in education, children can use the media equipment with

care and safety. Also, the children gain knowledge about the ethical ways of using the various
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forms of media art to relay information. When engaging in media arts, the educator should be

keen on multimodal concepts, storytelling formats, and various elements of media arts. For

instance, technical codes should relay specific information, while symbolic codes will convey a

meaning different from the words used. When the codes are used regularly, the children will

know what to expect at specific intervals.

In media arts, children express their understanding by being creative by reviewing

different forms of media arts from different cultural settings. Nonetheless, when the children

learn about the appropriateness and inappropriateness of using other people's images, they

develop ethically and morally (Abraham, 2021). When an educator wants the children to

understand well, they can attach the multimodal method of conveying information by adding

titles to every drawing and picture and asking the children about the information portrayed by the

pictures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is necessary to combine visual games teaching techniques in visual arts,

media arts, and music to enhance learning in early childhood. They affect the behavior and the

general creativity of the children by creating curiosity and a need to learn more. For example,

when a child is involved in a pleasant activity, they would like to be involved again in the future

to gain pleasure from the activity. Educators should combine the techniques procedurally to

ensure that the children's minds expand gradually as they learn. The use of games is compatible

with learning as children can develop skills within a concise time.

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References

Abraham, L. (2021). Arts-making Experiences in Media Arts. Early Childhood

Learning, 5(325), 196-212. Retrieved 20 June 2021 From https://doi.org/1003/3456

Georgia, K. (2021) Arts Making Experiences in Visual Arts. (2021), 11(934), 258-285.

Retrieved 20 June 2021, from https://doi.org/2582/3456

Hugo, V. (2018). Early Childhood Learning. Arts Making Experiences In Music, 8(345), 220-

245. Retrieved 20 June 2021, from http://earlychildhoodlearning.com

McClure, M., Tarr, P., Thompson, C. M., & Eckhoff, A. (2017). Defining quality in visual art

education for young children: Building on the position statement of the Early Childhood

Art Educators. Arts Education Policy Review, 118(3), 154-163. Retrieved 20 June 2021,

from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10632913.2016.1245167