Kindergarten and school as a learning environment for art. (1st March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nevanen, Saila; Juvonen, Antti; Ruismäki, Heikki
• Is Part Of: International journal of education through art. Volume 10:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2014-03-01
• Subjects: Art -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 707.1
• DOI: 10.1386/eta.10.1.7_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5234

Abstract

This article focuses on kindergartens and schools as art educational environments. They were explored from three points of view: the physical environment, the social environment and the pedagogical environment created by the thinking and activities of teachers and artists. A multidimensional evaluation is used to analyse the data. (Interviews of artists and teachers (n=18), final reports (n=9), follow-up material from an art project in Helsinki beginning in 2000.) The project targeted children in kindergarten (3–6 years old) and in the first grades in school (7-9 years old) and included visual art, environmental art, literary art, drama, circus and architectural elements. School, kindergarten and the immediate surroundings offered an opportunity for a diversified cooperative achievement. The children proved to be skilful and significant members of society in carrying out their art projects.