build up to Child Workshop

WRITE OUT THE QUESTIONS YOU WILL ASK YOUR PARENT (CUB LEADER) ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S LEARNING CHARACTERISTICS.

I asked Rob, the cub leader, about what themes they are covering with the cubs; if there was a timeline they had to follow and what supplies they had. Rob was very upfront with the details about his cub pack. Without even asking he told me that of the fourteen cubs, 12 were boys, 8 were at least 10 years old, 4 were hi-energy and perhaps coded, 1 was deaf, and that most were third year cubs. The hi-energy of the group simultaneously excited and intimidated me. I knew that I could have alot of fun with a hi-energy group, but at the same time I became nervous about getting them to pay attention. I tried to make a plan that utilised their hi energy in the provocation.

Because I didn’t expect Rob to know what each child liked to draw or was interested in on an artistic level, I never asked. I may be mistaken, he could know what each kid likes to draw, but regardless, I believe that in order to create a general assignment relevant to all the children a good provocation and strong link to the cub scout curriculum would work better than trying to congeal all the children’s specific art-interests.

I intend on providing an expanse of materials for the final project, and a somewhat diverse list of materials for the first warm-up project. This should ensure that each child finds a media they enjoy, and also that each child has the opportunity to grow their media repertoire.

My take on this assignment has somewhat fundamentally changed the nature of it. I have reduced the number of visits, and increased the number of children, meaning that I have one chance to create a project that provides a pertinent and interesting art experience for them and myself, rather than a series of one on one visits with a particular child that would make me adamantly aware of his/her needs, interests, and abilities.

THE AREAS THAT I MIGHT LIKE PARENTS TO EXPLORE

It would be really heart-warming if the parents would build on the lesson I give about colour symbolism and provide an outlet for the kids to express themselves with art. Whether it be art lessons for the kids or as simple as providing art supplies and enthusiasm for their child’s work, it would be very rewarding to find that the kids and their parents took a renewed interest in art following my meetings with the cubs.