I am new to blogging. In fact this is my first time. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself to start off with. I have chosen to blog about teaching art. This is a topic and subject that I am passionate about. I have an Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree.

I know that when you are teaching a child or children you have to do several things to insure that they not only learn what you are teaching, but that they also to understand it as well. Both learning and understanding are important in teaching. When a child learns something but does not understand it they will forget it quickly. Just as if they understand what you teach but do not learn the lesson, they do not really grasp what you are teaching. It is like when a child learns about fire. They might understand the concept of heat or hot, but not burn. They have to at least in their mind touch it before they both learn and understand the lesson.

I have found that it is best to teach a child in all three ways of learning at once. When you are explaining your lesson to your students you should show, tell, and have them do it with you. This way you are not only teaching some of the children you are getting the whole group. You are using all three ways children learn and understand at once. You are having them use audio, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles without having to do your lesson three times. By doing all three styles at once children are more likely to not only learn and understand what you are teaching; but also retain what they have learned.

            The thing about teaching art to children is that you get to see them find their own creativity. While you are teaching them your lessons you need to balance them learning and them being creative. You need let them do the work with their own style, but make sure that they are leaning and understanding what you are teaching. As the teacher it is your job to nurture your student’s ability to learn and their own uniqueness. Two of the most important things you can do to help insure your students are both learning and being creative is to encourage each of them to try new things and step out of their comfort zone.

            When children feel encouragement, they comprehend, and they understand they learn better and more quickly, than when they feel dismissed. Children that can learn from than one way learn how to think of different solutions to their lessons. These children are more likely to embrace their creativity and uniqueness in their work. They will be more open to ideas that they would normally refuse to listen to, out of fear that they will not be right in their work. Children that both learn and understand their lessons have the ability to help their fellow students.