What age group is the author of this pull-out referring to? There is an appropriate time for all the activities mentioned, which should be provided in sequence according to each child's stage of experience and development - but only after the children have experimented on their own and tried everything for themselves. If not, then the result in years to come will be more adults (and many of them will be childcarers) who say, 'I cannot paint and/or draw.'
The only two points I wholeheartedly support are the first and third ones under the heading 'Theory into practice' on page 16. And may I say to childcarers: stop talking and asking open-ended questions - listen to the children, think about their comments and let them lead the way. Then, and only then, give tentative answers. Remember you are only an adult and have limited vision - you are too tall - and you lack a toddler's powers of concentration.
To those readers who wish to provide real art for their children, I recommend they first read two books by Kenneth Jameson, Pre-School and Infant Art and Junior School Art, both published by Studio Vista and available in libraries, as they are now out of print.
Frances Jones, Ruislip, Middlesex
