Early Learning through Visual Arts

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Preschool teachers, family child care providers, and managers from the Fairfax County Office for Children, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Fairfax Futures worked together for nearly two years to develop “Early Learning Through the Visual Arts,” a community resource that uses visual arts to teach young children concepts related to math, science, language, literacy, and social studies. This resource features art prints of world-renowned artwork and outlines hands-on activities related to the artwork that adults can do with children to help them understand the world. The resource also includes discussion questions, vocabulary words, titles of related books, and guidelines for visiting museums with children. The suggested learning experience outlined in “Early Learning through the Visual Arts” engages children intellectually, socially, and physically. The activities are aligned with the Fairfax County Public School Program of Studies. Although the activities included in “Early Learning through the Visual Arts” are based on art on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery and the Phillips Collection, the activities can be adapted to exhibits in local arts venues across the United States.