What's in a name? "Process art" is thus named because the learning happens in the exploration of materials, the sensory experience, the cause and effect, the thinking, the emotions, the self... it's all about the PROCESS of creating. Likely, for young children, there is no "product" in mind when they begin creating, and that's what makes each art project unique and beautiful.
What it's not? A craft! "Crafts" have a specific outcome, with specific steps, and most of the products look alike when completed. If a child can't recognize his or her own work on the classroom art wall, there's a problem. They haven't thoughtfully engaged with the materials or experience. They haven't made it their own.
Here are some examples of process art created at Harmony's House:
These are paintings that baby "K" did when she was 4 and 7 months old. Paint was put in a bag with paper cut outs, and baby "K" squished the paint inside the bag with her hands and feet.
Friend "Z" (age 4) created this piece with streamers that she cut herself, loops of tape, and drawing. She practiced making choices about which materials she used, how to use them, and the order in which she created. This was done to celebrate baby "K's" birthday and looks quite festive!
Friend "V" (age 4) used markers on white paper to draw a rainbow map, and practiced pre-writing skills by drawing various straight and curved lines.
What open-ended process art experiences can you offer your children soon? I am so excited for April because I want to introduce paper-machet and multi-media self portraiture to the children. Don't limit your art experiences to 2-D opportunities. 3-D art is amazing and beautiful to behold! Start looking at the world for materials to use in art, in new ways, for the purpose of exploration... it's exciting!
