Very young children have a natural ability to paint that they inevitably lose if steps are not taken to preserve that ability.  Too often, parents wait until their children are older before they provide art classes for them. But that is a mistake.  A creative arts instructional program– from a properly trained instructor–is crucial for preschoolers and kindergarteners.  While teaching art in schools, Jacki Kellum was named National Teacher of the Year.

Aft for Tots Class is geared toward expression and creativity, as opposed to what an adult might consider to be a more realistic product.

Painting of Flowers Created by One of Jacki Kellum’s Students Aged 4

Jacki Kellum’s young students paint from actual flowers and not from photographs of flowers.

Painting of Flowers Created by One of Jacki Kellum’s Students Gged 4

The children are asked questions about animals, and after they dig inside for their personal responses, they draw what they imagine with markers.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Young children are not given pictures to copy. They are asked to create from what they imagine.

Unlike older children and adults, very young children are confident when they create. The only way to preserve that innate creativity is to place young children in a creative arts program when they are very young.

When children enter elementary school, they become progressively more sensitive about the opinions of their classmates, and they seek a teacher who helps them draw better. That is when I start teaching a bit more drawing technique, but I do not rush that.