How to Teach Young Kid About Murals
Murals, or large scale art works, impart important cultural and community values to the viewer. Often painted on public spaces, such as a wall or outside structure of a public building, educators can use mural art as a tool to teach children many different lessons that range from history to visual symbolism and the artistic process. Teaching young kids about murals is often a two-pronged process, encompassing both the technique and the visual or the viewing aspect of the art.
Instructions
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Mural Process
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1
Brainstorm mural ideas for a group project. Suggest themes that are appropriate for the young children, such as animals, farms, the zoo, the school, a neighborhood street or the ocean. If possible, tie the theme to another class activity or lesson plan. For example, if you are talking about the winter season try a winter landscape mural complete with a snowman and kids dressed in cold weather clothing.
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Cut a large sheet of butcher paper at least 10 feet long. Tape the paper onto a wall at the child's eye level.
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3
Invite the children to draw an outline or basic sketch of the mural in the chosen theme with pencils or markers. If needed, assign each child a specific part of the mural. For example, John can draw two people, Mary can draw the trees and Frank can draw the sun and clouds.
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Paint the mural. Give the children large paint brushes and ask them to fill in the areas. Again, you may need to assign specific parts to each child.
Viewing Murals
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Hang a mural in the classroom. This can be a child-created project or a reproduction/photograph of a mural in its original space. If possible, visit a mural in the community.
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View the mural with the children. Ask the students to tell you, and each other, what they see or can find in the artwork. Discuss the various symbols and images. Present a few questions to the students such as, "What do you think the artist used to make this mural?" or "Where do you think this mural could be (i.e., location)" or "How does this mural make you feel?"
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Give the children some real-life information about the artist and the artwork. Tell the children the name of the artist and any important information that you know. This may include the artist's training, where the artist lived/worked or special facts, such as interesting/famous family and friends.
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Tips & Warnings
Invite questions. Allow time for the children to ask questions about murals that you make or view. If you do not know the answer, tell the children that you will look up the question in a book or online.
Read an age-appropriate book about murals or mural artists.
Take a field trip into the community to look at a real-life mural.
Only use non-toxic, age-appropriate art materials.
Mural-making can be a messy process. Cover the floor below the mural with newspaper and give the children smocks to wear.
Do not underestimate the young child's ability to view/learn about art. Provide ample time to view murals.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
