Painting and drawing are categorised under Creative Development within the Foundation Stage curriculum. The document Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage rightly states that creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend understanding.
Art is a universal form of communication, crossing cultures and time. Margaret Morgan in Art in Practice (Nash Pollack Publishing, 15.99) talks about art being a vital element in a child's education - 'like a primary colour, nothing else can stand in its stead'.
When 'communication' is mentioned, writing is probably the first image that springs to mind, but writing is beyond the capabilities of most children within the Foundation Stage. For a great many young children, their drawings and paintings will be their principal form of communication after talking and playing.
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