Reports on the beginnings of visual representation in early childhood by using longitudinal studies in both London, England and Singapore. Finds evidence to support the theory that underlying children's use and organization of visual media are certain robust forms of behavior, or deep structures. (CFR)

Maintains that assessment in the arts often is avoided in the early childhood years because it appears to be incompatible with a child-centered philosophy. Asserts that reflective assessment procedures can inform early childhood teachers about instruction in arts education. (CFR)

Provides four sample activities and illustrations to develop students' perceptual skills. Seeks to help teach students that (1) understanding art takes time and effort; (2) personal reactions are important; (3) understanding the culture in which artworks are created is useful; and (4) many different approaches are available for understanding art.…

Presents an art educator's reflections upon his career. Discusses psychological views of art, the role of the arts in enlarging human knowledge, and implications for the curriculum. Describes teaching as an artistically pervaded activity. Reveals how the educator's experience in the arts has influenced his thinking about education. (KM)

Examines seven controversial issues in art education and sets them in a larger social context to help identify their contributions to art education. Concludes that art education should include all art forms from all cultures, develop more interaction between people in theory and practice, and extend the use of social and behavioral sciences. (KM)

Discusses six instructional approaches to aesthetics: (1) historical-philosophical; (2) cultural literacy; (3) aesthetic inquiry; (4) social-critical consciousness; (5) cross-cultural and multicultural; and (6) aesthetic perception and experiences. Examines instructional applications of these approaches, assess their flexibility for classroom…

Describes an African maskmaking project completed by seventh grade that gave students insight into tribal cultures. Discusses materials and methods students used to make the masks along with a backdrop painting to complement their masks. Displays several examples of student art. (DB)

Discusses ways for teachers of young children to utilize the arts, particularly music and the visual arts, across the early childhood curriculum. (BB)

Argues that African art helps children to learn vital art concepts and enlarges their understanding of the role of art in human culture. Outlines a unit on African art based on animals. Students created fabric designs and illustrated folktales and fables. Provides a list of free resources. (KM)

Describes the architecture of the prototype of an image management system that has been used to develop an application concerning images of frescoes in the Sistina Chapel in the Vatican. Hardware and software design are described, the use of local area networks (LANs) is discussed, and data organization is explained. (15 references) (LRW)

Contends that, as rapid social change and new technology change society, aesthetic considerations become more important. Discusses issues related to using computers and other educational technology in art education programs. Concludes that the overall importance of art education will increase with the expansion of the information age. (CFR)

Examines the relationship between children's artistic development and issues of learning. Categorizes undergraduate elementary education students' responses to an article on artistic development based on their own experiences. Summarizes the types of student reactions, and suggests implications for instructional practices. (DSK)

In Tucson (Arizona) and El Paso (Texas), Chicano mural painters and art educators have begun community programs to engage alienated Chicano and Yaqui youth in painting murals that defuse gang conflicts, celebrate Mexican culture and history, and provide training in marketable skills. (SV)

Research from the Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment Program, developed by Philadelphia's Settlement Music School, shows that the arts prepare children for further learning. Initiated in 1990, Kaleidoscope provides young inner-city children with full-day instruction three or four times weekly in visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Students…

Presents four lesson plans that use paintings, illustrations, and photographs that tell a story. The lessons consider the use and characteristics of narrative. Includes work from, "The Book of Deeds of Alexander the Great," as well as the works of Georges de La Tour, Eileen Cowin, and Henry Ossawa Tanner. (MJP)