ART AND LITTLE MINDS
“Art is the lie that reveals the truth”[1]
Transferring shapes on a paper or another medium is the phenomena that reveals the translation of the visual perception of an image in the brain. Surely it is not that simple if the subject is identifying what the art is vs. transferring the conceptual or substantial resumé of a thing which resides in the brain.
We, the human being, are significant visual creatures. Despite the fact that we have one area in the brain that is scientifically known to be assigned to vision, there are thirty more areas in our brain that enable us to see the world. When needed, some of these areas harmoniously combine color processors, motion identification sensors, spot and place objects into space, and create complex interactions and identifications of images.
Since early childhood development is still an undergoing examination, educators are facing the rain of newly popped up theories along with the century-aged ones. Working in such a gray, highly controversial area, using arts as a tool naturally becomes a rising sun for all educators who set their hearts on guiding children. Scribbling, drawing, using colors, and even color pens of different thicknesses all together have an assistive role in a child’s body and mind development. As we know, using hands requires one-third of the brain that is reserved solely for them. Therefore, no matter what a child is doing with a piece of drawing tool, meaning it can be anything, can be beneficial for a child’s brain development. The Montessorians usually give children vast options in media so that they may use their hands and arms in different angles, such as walls, angled boards, etc. This is mainly for hand and arm development; in other words, it fosters the development of fine and gross motor skills. Speaking of muscle development, I can say it is a preliminary but minor piece of an art that comes from within a child.
Colors impact our psychology and behavior and vice versa. Intuitively, we express our feelings via our color preferences. Children do so, as well. The next step of drawing and painting is analyzing a sight and synthesizing it again in the brain subconsciously. At this stage, some natural born artists start to bloom. I believe art, particularly at a very early age, is a reflection of the composite learning trail. As Ramachandran[2] says, “Human artists through trial and error, through intuition, through genius, have discovered the figural primitives of our perceptual grammar.” In other words, dealing with art activities or focusing on the details of an object is an amazing self-induced evolvement. Therefore, it is genuinely cherished by children.
Throughout my education and teaching years, I have observed countless connections between art and developing a mathematical mind. They both are abstracts of the abstractions of one’s mind. There is no specific area identified in the brain for either of these. Analyzing and synthesizing of objects and being able to mirror the image on a medium are similar steps to problem-solving in math. Therefore when I created and refined my art classes for young children, I anchored my approach in teaching art on this observation point. I give my little artists several different media to paint on, all kinds of paints and little information about their usage. Instead of coaching them, I leave the door of exploration cracked open. I make a connection between objects and geometrical shapes but the rest of it becomes their invention. I do not correct anything unless they ask me specific questions. I usually sit with my little artist and we evaluate his/her art piece together. Talking about their art piece helps them to reorganize their thoughts and visual placements. I firmly believe that children do not need to be flattered via their art pieces but encouraged to make another one based on their own criticisms.
Looking inside of a child via art is an entirely different ball game that requires delving into multiple disciplines. I will continue to write about Art and Mind Building from the window of my own observations.
[1] Pablo Picasso
[2] V.S.Ramachanandran PhD. M.D