This picture was done my O, age 2, and it is titled "Kids" per O.
Above- the teacher circled where O wrote his own name!!Art can take many forms.
It could be a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, a pencil drawing, poetry, writing, film, acting in a play, or some early drawings from a 2 year old.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, when schools are cutting back their programs due to funding, or shall I say, mishandling of money, it is up to the parents to try and expose our kids to the arts.
When there is more emphasis on sports, vs music or art class, then it is our responsibility to nurture and promote art.
I am not saying I do not believe being athletic or participating in sports is not important, I think it is. It supports learning to play well with others, learning to be a part of a team, can build confidence and should be promoted just as well. And of course, it is great for our health.
The problem I see, some parents see their kids as the next Michael Jordan or Brett Favre and believe their kid will be the next sports phenom- to be endorsed, make millions, which in most instances is not the case. Or worse yet, the parents are the ones who are getting pissed at the kids in the little league game, yelling at the referee and making an awful scene if "the call" wasn't in the favor of their child. Or they treat the game as if it is the next NFC championship, when really, it was just for the fun of playing the game.....
At the school where our J is a kindergartner, they do offer some after school programs- gymnastics and Spanish, but we have to pay for it.
They do have computer labs on Wednesdays as part as their curriculum, music and art on Thursdays and Music and Library on Fridays - which is great. I am just wondering if this is the norm????
My only hope, is that we provide enough exposure to a variety of activities, and show the kids all the possibilities that are theirs if they choose it.
I guess that is what most parents want.
Enjoy O's little artwork- he spelled his name for the first time at age 2. I am one proud Mama!!
Very Good, Owen! I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteBravo Owie .... another brilliant grandson :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Art from Owen. I just started going through the kids Art from last year, figured it would be good to scan it and put it in their own totes before this school year starts. lol
ReplyDeleteI agree on the sports issue, it's frustrating to see and hear the parents!!
As far as the normal curriculum for a school they all differ anymore due to budget problems. The kids here at PHS here have art, music, gym no computer lab in kindergarten the teacher does have a smart board (every teacher does here) and so they get some computer learning there. Once in 1st grade (they do some of their reading test on the computers in 1st grade) though they have computers in there room and in 2nd start going to computer lab.
Awesome to have the opportunity to put them in Spanish, I would seriously consider doing something like that!!
I have to recall that these issues sound familiar .... we had them when John & Rob were in the school systems. Guess progress is limited/same old argument/different day. Some things stay the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree, same issues but more updated.
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