"Do you listen to each child once a week or so as he draws? Is he talking to himself or a friend about his picture, thoughts, or feelings? Do you sometimes sit down and gently enter the conversation? Do you say something such as, 'Would you like me to write some of the things youíre saying on (or under) your picture?' If the answer is yes, do you write, point to the writing from left to right, and read the childís words back to him? If you do all these things, you are deepening your understanding of each child, furthering your relationship with each child, giving each child individual attention, showing each child that you respect his work and ideas, teaching literacy. Some children draw silently. You can still do the above, beginning with, 'Would you like to tell me about your picture?' or 'What are you thinking about while you draw?' or 'Youíre working so hard! Youíre (making such interesting shapes, choosing such beautiful colors, leaving space and making marks in a nice design'--what ever is true). If the child doesnít respond to this, let it go."

For more information in valuing children's art work and understanding how children communicate through their art work, look at the book, Considering Childrenís Art: Why and How to Value Their Works, by Brenda S. Engel, published in 1995 by NAEYC.
 

Susan Docherty (MacArthur Early Childhood Center) and her children worked on creating self portraits recently. Susan displayed them on the bulletin board in the classroom. 

Sherial McKinney also said that her children attended a performance by the WIU Regional Touring Theater Company recently. The actors were doing a tribute to Shel Silverstein, acting out several of his poems. Sherialís class especially liked the poem called "The Boa Constrictor" from his book Falling Up and acted it out themselves many times when back in the classroom. Making the experience more "realistic," the children also created their own soft paper sculpture boa constrictor. They then took turns acting out the boaís part, "nibblin' on toes, knees, thighs, middles and neck."

Shannon Kellogg (Northwestern Early Childhood Program) and her children are making Holiday cookies this month. They plan to use recipes from many different countries. Yum. Shannon says she will share the best recipes with us next month.