Teaching Art Words in Early Childhood Classrooms
Building Preschoolers Vocabulary Skills with Art-Specific Words
Mar 24, 2009
The early childhood years are a time of great vocabulary development. Children are hearing and learning new words daily. Language acquisition skills can be gained in many different curricular areas. This article focuses on building the young child's vocabulary in the area of the visual arts.
The Importance of an Art Vocabulary
Building a child's artistic word knowledge can be an important part of overall language development. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) even includes art vocabulary development in their accreditation criteria for curriculum (cognitive development). Standard 2.J.04 states, "Children are provided varied opportunities to learn new concepts and vocabulary related to art, music, drama, and dance" (Early Childhood Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria, NAEYC 2006).
Helping young children build a new art focused vocabulary will assist them in verbalizing thoughts, emotions, and concepts related to what they see (this includes aesthetic development) and what they create.
New art vocabulary can be introduced during classroom art making or art viewing activities. An art making activity may consist of formal art project lessons (such as creating a painting of an animal, making a shape collage, or drawing a self-portrait), informal process explorations (such as playing with clay or play dough), or at the art center/art table.
When to Introduce Art Vocabulary
Art viewing activities that can be tied to vocabulary introduction may include looking at a poster or print of a famous painting, looking at illustrations in a picture book, or viewing child made art work during a show and share. These activities provide an additional benefit in that they will aid in aesthetic development.
How to Introduce Art Vocabulary
The first step in introducing art vocabulary to young children is to learn the vocabulary yourself. This can easily be done by looking through teacher resource guides (on artmaking) or by searching the internet. Websites such as ArtLex give excellent definitions of art words.
The next step is the use the appropriate, correct words for art processes within the classroom. For example, if the children are cutting paper and gluing (i.e., making a collage) call the activity a collage instead of just saying that they are cutting and gluing. Ask the children to explain the art process that they are using, then introduce the word collage to connect it to the new vocabulary.
After you have introduced a new word, ask the children to repeat the word with you. This will help in pronunciation. Continue to use the new art word frequently.
Ideas for Art Vocabulary Words
The following list includes some basic art terms to use with young children:
- Collage
- Color
- Primary color
- Secondary color
- Paint
- Print making
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Mixed media
- Portrait
- Self portrait
Young children can easily begin developing a visual arts vocabulary. Start by learning some new art words yourself, then apply this vocabulary during art activities in the classroom. continue using these words with the children. They will soon become part of their regular vocabulary.
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