Art is a form of communication and self-expression that children use to make meaning out of all that they see, hear, feel and experience in the world. Before children can talk, they respond to music through dance or use social gestures, such as a smile, to express their pleasure. They can also use materials such as paints, crayons and clay to communicate their thoughts before they have acquired verbal or written language skills.
A richly resourced, well-planned environment is vital to help foster children’s imagination and creativity. ‘Expressive arts and design [EAD] should be exciting and ambitious, as well as reassuring and satisfying,’ explains early years creative arts consultant Anni McTavish. ‘Babies and young children need a wide range of opportunities to express their ideas, thinking and imagination, through exploration, play and being creative. It’s about providing a variety of media and materials, over time, and joining children on their creative journeys.’
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