Reflection on “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
What does this approach to learning have to do with art and art education?
This article highlights five key components of the kindergarten approach to learning, “Image”, “Create”, “Play”, “Share” and “Reflect”. During the entire learning process, the author emphasized the importance of involvement, collaboration and also communication, which all have an important connection with art education. Just as the author mentioned, “The goal is not to nurture the next Mozart or Einstein, but to help everyone become more creative in the ways they deal with everyday problems.” I believe current art and art education should also not focus on training students to be future artists but rather forming the ability to appreciate art. By using this approach to learning, learners could not only purely seeing and reading the introduction of the art piece but more importantly, understand the intention and meaning of these artworks. This Summer, I visited Whitney Museum and what inspired me the most is their open studio. They chose one of the artworks on exhibition as the theme or main character to let children use their imagination to redesign something new. Instead of introducing the artwork history, background, the instructor would ask children first what they see, how they feel and what do they think the artist wants to express. This process encouraged children to the image, and the later hands-on process makes them create, play something associated with the artwork. And the last presenting part gives them the opportunity to share their work and reflect their design process. Instead of “walking around”, I believe this provides learners a more engaging way to learn the art.
What role do digital tools play in this process?
I think digital tools provide more possibilities for learners to accomplish their ideas. Especially under current social environment, many young people are saying they have many ideas but what stopped their action and design process is technical issues and lack of time to learn high-tech skills. Using digital tools can better help learners to avoid “obstacles” and become a creative thinker. I believe these digital tools can better help solve technical issues and provide them more channels accomplish their ideas. Moreover, since not everyone has a good sense of color, shapes, or drawing skills, digital tools can also facilitate learners concentrate on developing “tinkerability” rather than concerning the technical issues.
