How important is art in a child’s development?

Hugely important! For many people creativity is at the core of their being and it is no different for children. Art is a way for people to explore their world by using many different skills. Focus, motor skills and imagination are areas that are helped by art and, most importantly, self esteem and happiness.

How do you encourage a reluctant child to get involved?

Generally children are creativity hungry. Some schools find that the time they can allow for art has been squeezed by the drive for literacy and numeracy. Occasionally I get children who are very hard on themselves and are worried that their work will not be ‘good enough’. Showing art technique and encouraging good work helps give the confidence to learn and explore art further.

What have you found to be the most popular media?

Most children love clay – which is great as I do too! Many schools shy away from art, clay in particular, as they feel it might be messy or don’t have the confidence to teach it. There are ways of managing these issues and the benefits for children and schools far outweigh these worries.

How do you keep the children engaged?

I find exploring art with young people is like opening a box of infinite possibilities, and I am lucky enough to jump in and explore it with them. Keeping them engaged is never an issue but wanting more time, well…

Brenda Burgess is a Kent based artist, portrait sculptor and art workshop leader who has worked as an art course leader for the last eighteen years. Find out more about the children’s workshops and adult sculpture days that Brenda runs at www.arteducationforall.co.uk

You may also like

Perfect Pitch

Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, sings the praises of music in education What exactly is it that drives parents to make huge sacrifices by sending their children to independent schools? Different families have different...

‘It’s not fair!’

Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, explains the importance of winning and losing with good grace The beefy second row lay prone, groaning, as the pack lumbered away. “Get up, Darling!” I cried. Opposition spectators...

Performance Power

Eastbourne College and Bede’s School discuss opportunities which give their students time to shine Director of Music at Eastbourne College, Dan Jordan, sings the praises of music at the school. It is 6.30pm, the night before a well-needed half-term holiday....