Why we’re obsessed with creativity!
One of the tasks of visual art education is to help your child improve their cognitive skills. A guide used by educators is Bloom’s Taxonomy. Bloom’s Taxonomy is a model of classifying thinking according to six cognitive levels of complexity. The pyramid base is the lowest level thinking (Remembering) and you work your way up to Creating, at the top. The pyramid is hierarchical, so that each level builds on the previous level. For example, in order to understand, we must be able to remember. Once a student gains understanding of a concept, they can apply, analyze and evaluate. Finally they will go on to create something original.
In fine arts, you spend a lot of your time creating. The other levels of thinking are incorporated through art criticism, studying art history, and learning the elements and principles of design. Cookie-cutter art projects and templated crafts also fall into the lower tiers of learning.
At Artbarn School, we are all about creativity. We begin each class with enough structure for students to understand the process and teach them the skills to apply it. We help them ask questions to evaluate their project, then give them enough freedom to unleash their creativity. In the end, despite starting with the same set of instructions, each student builds something unique and wonderful!
Our method of teaching and the projects we select encourage students to rise up the pyramid. The main benefit is that cognitive skills learned through art will help them with their other learning as well. An overall bonus is improved confidence, and of course, we make it all fun!
Sign up now for our afterschool programs or arty camps to foster your child’s creativity!