Art and the Child

The children in kindergarten, first and second grade will be bringing home their atrium artwork in their Friday folder this week. Some parents may ask: Why does my child not bring home artwork each week? For the child, it is the process that is important, not the end product. The child will often prayerfully contemplate a presentation given to them and internalizes the teachings through the process of creating art. However, we do not want the children to feel that they need to “produce” a piece of artwork to take home. There are even times the child will sit quietly at the prayer table and pray as a response to a presentation. Whether it is working with the material, copying scripture, creating an art response, or praying silently, we trust that God is at work in each of the children bringing them into relationship with the Good Shepherd.

Speaking to a Child

about Art

There are some common phrases that the catechist may use in the atrium when speaking to the children about art, and parents may want to use them at home as well. Typically, when children share artwork with adults, we tend to praise the finished product rather than their hard work, with a comment such as “nice job” or “beautiful work.” In the atrium, the catechist might rather say something like, “I saw you working hard,” or “you concentrated for a long time,” to focus on the process, not the product. The child may ask us, “Do you like my drawing?”, and rather than respond with “Yes, I like it,” we may want to ask him or her about their favorite part of the drawing or why they used a specific color, or even “What do you think about your work?” It is important for the children to make their own discovery about their artwork rather seek the adult’s approval.

CGSUSA Parent Newsletter 2017

Light of Christ

Christmas Celebration

The level I children (4 year olds and kindergarteners) were blessed to end the Christmas Season with a beautiful procession and Celebration of the Light of Christ coming into the world. We lit our Christ the King candle and each child then set their own candle on our prayer table to be lit as we sang, "The light of Christ has come into the world." The children's eyes sparkled as they enjoyed the light of the candles and the lights on the altar. They responded with great joy as they commented, "It is so beautiful" and "I love you Jesus."