Whole Child Approach in Art Education

A child with clip art elements

representing areas such as math,

creativity, socials, books,

sports, emotions, history,

and science.

The whole child approach in education is a philosophy of learning that supports, not only academic assessment to define a successful learner, but also encourages and fosters growth in areas such as physical and emotional health, the arts, self-sufficiency, and more. This method of teaching and learning acknowledges that students are their own unique individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and varying needs. In art education, the whole child approach is crucial as it focuses on the exploration and experimentation of processes, materials, and creative ideas. Art-making provides children with a safe and effective outlet and the direct space to express themselves in a way that is not explored in other content areas. Art also allows children to build upon their social and emotional learning by expressing their own feelings, as well as engaging with their peers about their art. This method of engagement provides children the space through individual and collaborative projects to learn to better understand and collaborate with their peers and to develop empathy and perspective-taking skills that can help them to build positive relationships with others.

The whole child approach can be achieved through art education and art-making through the instructor creating and prioritizing a safe, engaging, and supportive environment that promotes creativity, exploration, and most importantly, self-exploration. Teachers can help to create this space by providing students with ample choice of content, materials, and processes for each project, in addition to individualized support and guided instruction that encourages exploration, experimentation, and risk-taking. Overall, the whole-child approach is vital to art education as it recognizes the importance and necessity of nurturing and supporting the whole child, rather than simply focusing on academic success and achievement. By supporting the development of children's cognitive, emotional, physical, and social growth, art educators can help students to build and develop their creativity, self-expression, interests, and overall appreciation of learning, while also preparing them for success in all areas throughout their lives.

The Importance of The Arts in Schools

Young students with a teacher working
with art materials around a table

The arts play a fundamental role in education and in the development of children. The arts can help children to build skills that are not only important, but necessary to life inside and outside of the classroom. Working with art-related materials, such as pencils, scissors, clay, etc. can help students to develop and improve their fine motor skills. The arts also have many social components that allow students to share about themselves and their work through speech and through written assignments. These aspects of art can enable students to build language skills, social skills, and emotional compassion and regulation toward themselves and others. Using creativity to complete projects can allow students to develop skills such as decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness. These skills can be used all throughout their life in many facets and can make them more productive citizens as they will be well-equipped to develop creative solutions to perpetuating problems throughout society. The arts and art production can also function as a healthy and effective outlet for students. This outlet can function as a simple form of relief from day-to-day life or it can work towards addressing more substantial emotional traumas. 

In my experience, art has played a fundamental and necessary role in my development as an individual. Throughout my K-12 schooling and into college, my art classes have been the place where I have felt most able to express myself and to safely express my feelings and emotions. I was and am able to share my life, beliefs, and emotions in my work in a healthy manner that helps me and others to learn more about who I am. In addition to my art production, I have now been able to see from a teacher's perspective how art positively affects students through working in art classrooms with children. When given ample choice, students are given the opportunity to share their experiences and their feelings with the class through their art. Some students are extremely excited by certain projects as they create work about their pets, family, personal interests, and more. Some students are sad while creating and choose to make work regarding grief, depression, etc. Both forms of expression are important to the development and healthy expression for children as it allows them to articulate their feelings, to share their experiences, and to learn from others in a safe, positive, and supportive environment.