Assessing the Preschooler Part 3 and 4

I have decided to combine Assessments 3 and 4 to make this easier for everyone. Mostly me though because this month has been busy and I missed posting and I need to get ready to pick out what I am doing for the next month. 

   This assessment actually makes sense in combining. Art observations and directions. Art is not about a child being able to copy art work that you have shown them, it is about them putting together their own art. One of the most important things that has been lost by early education is the ability for children to do art anyway they want. We are so focused on the end result and that it be something we can recognize that we forget that the most important part of art is the ability for child to figure out what they like for themselves. 

When we assess art it not only covers the art work, it covers dramatic play, use of props, developing artistic techniques and if they are learning to express themselves properly through art. It could also be dancing and music. 

Dancing and music are what we can use to all assess direction following. Line dancing at the preschool level is the best way to help a child follow directions. You have them follow what you are doing. Songs like the Hokey Pokey are great for helping children learn to listen for directions. While dance also helps them learn to develop rhythm that also is useful in helping with math. 

For art you are helping children by  remaining hands off. You hand them the materials and you watch how they hold and use them. Crayon holds, paint brushes how they sprinkle glitter even. Although I have to tell you, if I could get away with never giving a preschooler glitter I would do it. The inside of my vacuum ends up looking like a disco ball for months!

The Invitations to create that Mother Goose Time has started to use are so great. I love that I can show the children photos or different art techniques and discuss them for five seconds before we begin to talk about why they need a new sibling, and then send them off to create their own art.  The art pieces you can keep as evidence to show how their art is evolving over the course of the year. Some of the pieces will look like nothing others they have a clear story for, and it would be a good idea to write the story either on the art project or on a separate piece of paper that you staple to the project. 

Below I am going to show some pictures of art that the children have done. Maybe I will have some more dances to show later on. I figured I would give you a break on listening to me dance and sing this time. It can be painful I know lol. 

Til next time!

​Tessie