“Depending on someone else's outline (of an object) makes the child less confident in their own means of expression”. Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld
At ecoline, we pay a lot of attention to creativity – in all its forms! We are convinced that each child has multiple interests, multiple intelligences and multiple languages that are just waiting to develop, to be enriched thanks to a benevolent and sufficiently rich environment to give birth to an infinity of projects.
Our role is to provide the child with resources and a quality environment, to listen to him, to observe him, to document the learning processes and to learn every day at his side.
This is how our reflection at the beginning of the year turns to colouring, these lines that we offer to children who in turn colour the interior of a predefined line (by the adult).
You will find below articles, excerpts or quotes on the subject, as a source of reflection and possible inspiration.
Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld, a 1950s professor and author of Creative and Mental Growth , has studied the matter particularly. His thoughts below are taken from the study conducted by Steve Drumond :
“By giving children colouring books with characters and shapes already drawn, what we are really telling them is:
This drawing made by an adult is what a drawing should look like
The process (of drawing) does not count, colouring is enough
Their version or their drawings (to children) are not good enough
Colouring inside the paths is a very important thing
Search for perfectionism
Art for children should focus more on the process than on the result. We should respect their creative output and the lines should be seen as guides they can choose to use when they are developmentally ready. They should never be stressed. Colouring books, according to Lowenfeld, can reinforce “stereotypes” and standardise drawing:
Dr Viktor Lowenfeld
“Give the children a blank sheet of paper and ask them to draw a bird. In return you will have a whole bunch of varied images. But give them a colouring book – where birds are drawn as 2 connected arcs, which look like a very big curved V – and ask them to draw their bird. Many children will start drawing the birds, in this very simple, “stereotypical” way.
Melody Milbrandt, professor of arts education at Georgia State University.
“Part of what we encourage children to do through art is to construct meaning and synthesise their understanding of the world. Engage on a deeper level.”
A morning inspired by the nature encyclopaedia
We were still able to observe a lot of positive effects when colouring. According to Harvard graduate Dr. Herbert Benson
Colouring mandalas induces a state of relaxation caused by repetitive motion that requires us to put aside our thoughts to return to the point of concentration and repetition. He also states that the state of relaxation induced by colouring mandalas brings the following benefits:
Lower blood pressure
Reduction in heart rate
Reduced oxygen consumption
Reduced production of cortisol (stress hormone)
Rise in hormones causing a feeling of well-being
Find Dr. Herbert Benson's article here:
https://www.digistore24.com/redir/453432/sahar23232/
And finally, a reflection that also brings us to the life of a parent, in which the key word is surely: balance .
“Where does this leave us regarding the use of colouring? Should it be eliminated from children's lives? Absolutely not. In the same way that I wouldn't fight to eliminate the occasional chocolate for breakfast or Saturday morning cartoons, coloring is a part of children's lives. Should coloring activities be part of children's regular schedule? the answer is still no. Coloring activities represent insufficient practice. Coloring is not good enough to meet children's needs if they are to express their full potential. »
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