Art and design stimulates creativity and imagination as well as providing an outlet for individual artistic expression. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world. It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and a range of materials and processes. Children become involved in shaping their environments through art and design activities. They learn to make informed judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions. They explore ideas and meanings through the work of artists and designers.
Through learning about the roles and functions of art, they can explore the impact it has had on contemporary life and that of different times and cultures. Finally, the appreciation and enjoyment of visual arts enriches all our lives.
In the Foundation stage, children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. This splits areas of learning and development into three ‘prime’ areas and four ‘specific’ areas. Art and design is covered under ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ which is a ‘specific’ area of learning.
Throughout their time in the Early Years children will have the opportunity to:
In Key Stages 1 and 2, and in accordance with the new National Curriculum, children will have the opportunity to: