Rosemary D. Richards
Massey University, New Zealand
University of New England, Australia

Although sociocultural theory challenges educators to embrace the social nature of learning, common practice in early childhood art has varied little from its traditional stance on natural art development, adult non-intervention, and the sacrosanct nature of creativity and artistic expression—outdated relics on hallowed ground. Despite mounting pressure to value social and cultural contexts of learning, popularised models of children's artistic development suggest that young children decline in artistic capabilities with the onset of school, primarily as a result of social interactions—a U-shaped model of artistic development (Davis, 1991; Gardner, 1982). Furthermore, children are often invisible in discussions on children's art and the value placed on their art is closely aligned with adults' aesthetics (Pariser & van den Berg, 2001) while marginalising children's actual experiences. Why beliefs about early childhood art remain entrenched may be best understood by exposing the intersection of the ever-evolving notions of childhood, art and child development.

Australian Journal of Early Childhood Volume 32 No 4 December 2007, pp. 22-30.

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