Framing Art

Lots of young child created art piled up – what to do? Young children are naturally young artists. So parents/teachers introduce children to art at an early age knowing that the right brain is used in creativity and emotional perception. The right brain is typically used when a child is involved in creating art. So as a child creates art they stimulate and exercise the right hemisphere of the brain with the results being the connection between the left and right hemispheres strengthened.  By exposing young children to art their right brain may be as developed as the left, resulting in both hemispheres working in concert.

When young children get to put their art in an “art gallery” (the fridge, a door, or an art wall or art bulletin board area) an increase in self-esteem, positive perceptions of “school”, increased confidence, a feeling of success and building a community with respect for others can be a benefit. These attitude improvements may be demonstrated by positive behavior patterns.

What to do with all that art? Framing it may give a presence of “importance” to each piece of artwork. Children enjoy choosing and making their own frames. Here are a few ideas to frame the artwork:

Using tongue depressors or popsicle sticks

Use construction paper that is bigger than the art work. Including the child’s name gives them “their place” to hang their work (recognizing names, letter, and words for pre-reading).

Children can paint a paper frame with a paint brush, sponge paint or finger paint.

Use ribbon or fabric so children can create another fun frame edge. The ribbon may not be straight or even, but that’s okay!

Using 2 squares a child will enjoy discovering that cutting a square in half there will be 2 triangles which can be used to frame artwork! (A little geometry and measurement. )

If a parent/teacher measures and cuts a bulletin boarder it will not have this unique look where the child says “I did it”. (Here again the child is measuring, comparing, problem solving, and interacting with others.)

I ended up with allot of children’s artwork the last couple weeks. It is fun to see it displayed in the “art gallery” with frames and smiles on children’s faces from framing art.

For more information see: “Gifts of the Muse: Reframing the Debate about the Benefits of the Arts,” Rand Corporation, 2004