Art and Early Childhood Education

Embrace the energy and curiosity of young students by balancing productive play and structure to nurture the artmaking and creative thinking skills of preschool through 2nd-grade learners.

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Our youngest learners offer an abundance of energy, curiosity, and little formal training. This enthusiasm and wonder provide opportunities to explore the world of art with inquiry and little inhibition. In this course, participants will better understand the intricate developmental characteristics and needs of the early childhood learner. Explore early childhood philosophical approaches and teaching methods for curriculum design, utilize strategies for a productive and engaging studio space, and embrace the creative expression of preschool through 2nd-grade learners. Learn to balance the productive play and structure needed to grow in early childhood education. Participants will end this course with a variety of curriculum and management plans for direct application in the art room, as well as the confidence to teach and nurture the artmaking and creative thinking skills of their young artists.

See the course syllabus and Graduate Catalog for more details.

Suggested Course Sequence

  1. SPED557: Art and Diverse Learners
  2. SPED559: Adapting the Art Room
  3. SPED561: Classroom Management Strategies for Diverse Learners
  4. SPED563: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Art Room

Required Materials

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition. ISBN 978-1-4338-3216-1

Additional Materials

  • Computer with basic audio and video input and output equipment
  • Internet access (broadband recommended)
  • Basic computing skills (see AOEU’s Technology Requirements)
  • Access to AOEU’s online learning platform, Brightspace, to view course content, submit assignments, and engage in discussion (provided)
  • A Google Drive account (provided)
  • Word-processing platform (Microsoft Office, Pages, Google Docs)

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