Integrating art into primary education gives children space and freedom to engage their minds actively. Since 2017, Shuruart Foundation has worked with more than 1470 children studying in 25 Government Primary Schools in Varanasi. Through Let’s Start Art, a program by Shuruart foundation, we have been working rigorously to improve children's literacy skills through visual arts providing holistic development for these children through art-integrated learning.
]]>What is Art Integrated Learning?
Art-Integrated Learning (AIL) is an educational approach where art becomes an integral part of learning different subjects. Instead of simply memorizing facts, students actively engage in creating, analyzing, and interpreting art that helps them understand the concepts better and build clarity about them. This hands-on approach allows for deeper understanding and makes learning more enjoyable and relevant to students' lives.
Why Art Integrated Learning?
The years from age 4 to 11 represent a critical phase in human development. These years are called pre-schematic and schematic phase and these are the key times for the cognitive, social, and emotional development of an individual. According to the developmental stages given by psychologists Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget, children in these phases develop logical and abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking. Maturation in language takes place as well as self-concept and identity formation progresses. Art Integrated Learning fosters a dynamic learning environment that caters to these stages. It transcends rote memorization and aids students in actively developing a diverse range of critical skills by engaging with various art forms.
Observation and deduction are some of the basic skills that are incorporated by AIL. We often encounter such instances in our art sessions where students portray unique observations that often go unnoticed by adults. In our one such session on “sun and wind” a student portrayed transformers catching fire due to intense heat which frequently ends up creating electricity problem in his household. This artwork reflects his experience with and observations of electrical problems. Another student created a storyline where she portrayed that nests fell due to strong winds and the eggs were broken. Stories like this show how art can help children to weave their creativity around their observation, thinking, and deduction skills.
A still of artwork on the topic “Sun and Wind”
Children are innately curious beings. When presented with open-ended materials and given the freedom to experiment without any preconceived outcome, they instinctively tap into their huge imaginations and develop their ideas. When there is no worry about “right” or “wrong,” the creative process makes room for invention, iteration, and innovation. In our session “playing with clay” we saw children moulding clay in various shapes. The freedom of creation ended up in an experience where children molded swings, toys, fruits, their favourite cartoon characters as well as and things they desire to have. Some children crafted mobile phones whereas others made utensils and household products. These activities stimulate the neuro-sensory development of children and assist in improving strength, precision and coordination of their motor skills.
A still from session on “playing with clay”
A still of “mask-making” by Yashashvi of Nagwa Primary School
Art acts as a powerful tool for self-expression. Yashashvi, a 5th grade student made a mask of her mother in our session “mask-making”. She told us lovingly that she knows her mother’s mask would not be available at any fair or market, so she made a mask of her. She also shared that she loves her and wants to become like her one day. One of our students Arpit, who cannot speak, communicates himself through his drawings. Art becomes the perfect tool to reach those who can’t reach us through words. These instances make us believe that art truly has the power to unravel the psychological depths of children’s minds and help them reach their full potential eventually. Our sessions have build strong evidence that art integrated learning empowers children with important skills of observation, exploration, experimentation, deduction, and communication.
A still of Arpit’s artwork on “Mother Earth” at Bajardiha Primary School, Varanasi
Are Art classes Just playtime?
Absolutely not! While AIL is fun and engaging, it's far from playtime. It's a powerful learning strategy that caters to different learning styles and ignites a whole range of essential skills. Students like Arpit who struggle with traditional lecture-based methods can excel through artistic expression. AIL activities tap into spatial reasoning, kinesthetic learning, and visual-auditory processing strengths that some students possess. This allows them to grasp concepts in a way that resonates with them and fosters a love of learning. In our sessions, we have found that children who are shy and hesitant at the beginning, tend to open up and express themselves beautifully through their art. It becomes easier for them to assess the needs, work through the process and learn the concepts comfortably through these sessions.
In conclusion, Art Integrated Learning (AIL) is a powerful approach that ignites love of learning by transforming classrooms into vibrant hubs of exploration and creativity. From fostering critical thinking and communication to nurturing collaboration and imagination, AIL empowers students to participate in their learning journeys actively. So, the next time you think about education, remember the magic of art! Our Let’s Start Art sessions of Shuruart Foundation is a strong advocate for AIL, and we invite you to explore the possibilities of transforming education for the children in your life. Visit our Youtube playlist to learn more about how AIL can unlock the potential within every child.
