The effectiveness of art activities in developing school readiness skills

This research study explores the statement: “The effectiveness of art activities in developing school readiness skills.” The significance of school readiness is well documented, and is supported by a correlation between school readiness and success in formal school. The importance of art activities is also well documented. This study blends the two issues and explores how art activities can be most effectively used to develop school readiness skills. By interviewing three educators and two artists the researcher comes to the following conclusions: (1) That art activities can effectively help develop school readiness skills if the activities are open-ended and process-focussed. This was the dominant theme. (2) That adults should provide positive feedback, talk to children about their art, and ask appropriate questions as this affects children's readiness development in a positive way. (3) That children should be offered a variety of materials and tools appropriate to their developmental stage. (4) That social and cognitive readiness skills develop more quickly if they are done in small groups.Three further points are made. First, that the teacher's role should be that of facilitator and provider. Second, that art activities should be inclusive and involve all children with limited experiences or special needs in successful endeavours. Third, that art activities with some directions are appropriate for children who are developmentally ready and interested, as following instructions is an expectation in formal school.The artists make two significant contributions. One is that teachers of young children needed to be “special” people who can stand back and let children create. The other is that children must have “freedom” to create from their experiences and their imaginations, and must not be restricted in any way.Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-02, page: 0372.Adviser: Graham Pike