The Joyful Journey of Teaching Art to Young Children: Nurturing Creativity, Skills, and Appreciation

Teaching art to young children is a truly rewarding experience that brings immense joy to both the teacher and the students. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why teaching art to young children is so fulfilling and how it can positively impact their lives.

First and foremost, teaching art to young children allows them to express their creativity and imagination freely. Art provides a space where there are no right or wrong answers, allowing children to explore and experiment without fear of judgment. This freedom fosters a sense of joy and excitement as they discover new ways to express themselves through various art forms such as drawing, painting, and sculpting. Watching their faces light up with enthusiasm as they create something unique and meaningful is incredibly fulfilling for any art teacher.

Moreover, teaching art to young children helps develop their cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Art activities engage children in problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making processes. They learn to make choices, experiment with different techniques, and solve visual problems, all of which enhance their cognitive abilities. Art also provides a platform for children to express and process their emotions, helping them understand and communicate their feelings in a healthy and creative way. Additionally, art lessons promote collaboration and teamwork as children share materials, ideas, and work together on group projects. These social interactions not only foster a sense of community but also teach important life skills such as communication, empathy, and respect.

Lastly, teaching art to young children allows them to develop a lifelong appreciation for creativity and beauty. By exposing children to various art styles, techniques, and artists, teachers can ignite a spark of curiosity and inspiration within them. This exposure helps children develop an aesthetic sense, an appreciation for different forms of art, and an understanding of the role art plays in our lives. As they grow older, this appreciation can lead to a deeper understanding and involvement in the art world, whether as creators, collectors, or supporters.

In conclusion, teaching art to young children brings immense joy and fulfillment to both the teacher and the students. It provides a platform for children to express their creativity, develop essential skills, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for art. As an art teacher, witnessing the joy and growth of young minds as they explore and create is a truly priceless experience that leaves a lasting impact on their lives.

If you would like to book an art class for your children you can purchase one of the packages or email me to get more information about a custom package that would suit your family.

Agata May’kowska

Wholeheartedarts@gmail.com

Choose Gratefulness over Pride | August 2023

Next Monday, I am starting our after-school program for kids at Mosaic Church. We will attempt to use art to teach kids language skills. We will do smaller art crafts, spend time reading aloud, and even perform. We will pick a drama for their age and even design our own costumes and backdrop. I woke up this morning thinking I should be proud of myself. So much has changed in my life. I have gone through all the different stages in my life: being in need of help, being self-sufficient, and now I am finally in the season of being a contribution to others and helping others in the same. You should be proud of yourself! Or tell others that you are proud of them! We have been exposed to those messages a lot. We are building our self-esteem, making sure everyone is validated, acknowledged, and feels important. That is how the world insists on us being. Be proud. Help others be proud. But is it the way of Christ's followers?

Is there one place where Christ ever said to take pride in what we did? Please let me know if you find it. Is there anything about me that I should be proud of? And while the world encourages us to do that, contrary to that in the Word of God, we read to boast in Christ only and not in our own efforts or valor. "For consider your calling, brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness, and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God chose me before I was born, before I was able to help others. God chose my gender, my intellectual capacity, and my personality traits. Maybe He even chose which struggles are perfect for me to overcome and learn from. He chose me to shape me into a woman that loves Christ and can be more like Him. God chose the gifts He will give me to develop. God is pleased with me using those gifts to bring Him glory. God put the desire in my heart to now share my gift with others. God gave me an opportunity to use my artistic gift and love for reading with kids. God provided me with a perfect place to do it and a perfect Pastor to supervise me. Can you see the point? It is never us, but always God we boast in.
How can I then respond to the world? If someone tells you - “I am proud of you” and they insist on your being proud as well, choose to be grateful. Be grateful that God has given you the opportunity to do something others see as wonderful and important and use it to point their attention to God.

I am also looking at it as a parent, and how often I told my daughter that I was so proud of her… Was I wrong? As much as I don't think there is anything wrong with letting our kids know we take pride in them, maybe it is a little bit better to help them see that pride is less important than gratefulness. While you can be proud when things go well and you succeed, you also feel ashamed and sorry when you fail. But you can always be grateful. Mothers can be grateful for a kid that they can take pride in and also a kid that presents a never-ending exercise in unconditional love. While pride focuses us on our success, efforts, and our ego, gratefulness helps us see a greater perspective beyond us being at the center.

Pride comes with so many conditions and limitations. The world and following its ways lead to death. Fulfilling our human desires and passion, which includes our need to be important, led many to desperation. There was a time in my life when I followed that way.

Gratefulness comes with an open heart and freedom. Christ came as a humble servant and brought us grace, truth, and freedom. Following Christ leads to peace and everlasting life. Having Christ be the source and the answer to our desires leads to joy and gratefulness. There are many more aspects we could discuss about why gratefulness is a better choice than pride. I invite you to share your perspective or just reflect on it in your time. How do you deal with the constant messaging of the world about self-promotion and validation? How do you deal with pride in your heart?
I am grateful.