2. Emphasize the process over the final product.
The difference between an art project and a craft project is
that an art project has no planned final product. It is an open-
ended journey. There’s no sample to copy. It’s a spontaneous
process, and the enjoyment comes from the doing, regardless
of the outcome. The direction of the project comes from within
the child artists themselves, not from the teacher/parent.
There is no right or wrong way to do art.
3. Stick to your role.
Your role in these arts projects is that of facilitator, encouraging
and respecting your child as an artist. This means you might
lower an easel to your child’s height or roll up a sleeve while
their hands are covered in paint. Ask permission to intervene,
but mostly, try to keep hands off. Do not take over the art
project, no matter how tempting. (Are you art starved? Maybe
you need more art time of your own!) Don’t alter the child’s art
to make it “prettier” or more appealing to someone else.
4. Respond thoughtfully.
Remember your child self. Negative feedback can be devastating for a
child, especially when it comes from someone who is such a towering
figure in their life, like you. But really, to emphasize process over
product, you want to refrain from making pronouncements about the
end product completely. (This also sa ves you from exclaiming “What
a great truck!” when that was supposed to be a dragon.) Instead,
simply look intently at your child’s art and nod appreciatively. State
profoundly, “Hmm. I see.” Ask them how they made it or what they
like about their art the most.
The J offers all of our ECE teachers with ongoing educational
programs and classes to provide children with the most up-
to-date and best practice curriculum. These programs help
The J meet our mission, vision and values and makes our ECE
program one of the best in Tucson.
July 2017 | J Life Magazine 5