Preschool art develops motor skills
They may only be three and four years old, but in the world of art, their work might very well be on par with much more experienced professionals. So with great pride this morning, principals from preschools around the city presented their students’ work at the annual Arts and Crafts Festival. And while the event is meant to showcase the creative talent of the preschoolers, apparently there is solid science behind the scribbles.
Denise Martinez, Principal, Pickstock Community Preschool
“Exercising their fingers so that when they get to primary school, they’ve learnt coordination. It’s easier for them to learn how to write with their pencils, because in preschool they don’t write, they work mostly with play-dough, with their fingers, most of them if you notice their finger art, and working with beads and seeds and stuff like that. So that they learn coordination, they learn direction, which they will use when they get into primary school.”
Janelle Chanona
“And of course, staying in the lines right?”
Denise Martinez
“Of course. But going out of the lines, it’s fun; it’s all part of it until they learn to stay in the line. So even if it might look oh, it’s just a scribble, it is that child’s scribble and we must always say, oh, it looks nice. We have to compliment them, you know.”
Margarita Jones, Church of Christ Preschool
“I can see that the work that the children are now producing, comparing to the past two years that I have been dealing with preschool, it’s work of a more higher level. It’s work that I can see that they are now being prepared more at a better level to move onto primary school. They have, I believe, all the capabilities, all the knowledge I believe that they need now to get on to grade school and I’m sure that when the kids get on to that infant I level or beginners as some schools call it, these kids are really well prepared now.”
The arts and crafts show is part of Child Stimulation Month. Today’s exhibition was held at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Belize City.
