Aesthetic Education:

Learning through Engagement:Feelings and Experiences

By: Colleen Griffin

This is an example of the function of Aesthetic Education. Children need to learn through experience, as it enhances not only their creative abilities but their cognitive abilities as well. Engaging allows students to explore the world through different mediums and also allows them to demonstrate their strengths and individuality.

LEARNING

THROUGH

EXPLORATION

Examples of Art Engagement

Dance

MUSICSport

s

Painting

Some individuals learn best through kinesthetics. I personally do, and after learning from this class that I see art everyday, I realized softball is a form of art itself. It consists of many fine techniques and the game as a whole looks like a form of a motion picture. Sports allow children to express themselves as an individual, even if it is a team sport. They can contribute their own strengths and show their unique talents.

We incorporated music into our class by learning about the Blue’s. Music is a form of artistic expression that relays thoughts, feelings, and stories through notes rather than speaking with a voice; it is a different form of speaking. Music allows one to express himself/herself in a way that is different than bodily expression or physical, picture expression. It has many different aspects, such as beat, rhythm, tone, tempo, etc. The small aspects come together to form a whole piece of art.*Singing is also included.

Dance is a form of physical art. Dancers relay emotions and stories through the movements they make with their bodies. It is a form of personal expression that often incorporates music, which enhances the performance. Many things must be considered when choreographing a dance: space, lighting, performers, etc. The piece coming together as a whole is a form of art, as many things interact with one another.

Another example of art is the media of paint. People create their own imaginative works of art through medias other than physical movement or musical expression. Some forms of these different medias include: paint, photography, markers/crayons, and textured items such as felt. Children can use this in schools with free reign to create what they feel the need to express. There is no right or wrong way.

(and other medias)

It is unstructured Learning does not occur Standardized tests are more important Why pay for children to “play?” Grades and academic performance are the focus of school,

not the arts, as it should be

Arguments Against

Art is unique to each individual Art can be seen in everyday life It is essential to teach in schools There is no “right” or “wrong” answer It actually does create learning

Key Concepts:

ART!