Art
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”- Pablo Picasso
Intent
At TAB Infant School, we want every child to see themselves as an artist. We believe art gives children opportunities to explore, experiment, communicate ideas and express themselves creatively. From the earliest years, children are encouraged to be curious about the world around them and to develop confidence in using a wide range of materials, tools and techniques.
Our art curriculum is designed to build skills progressively through small steps, allowing children to revisit, practise and develop their understanding over time. Children learn about a range of artists and artistic styles, including artists from different cultures and backgrounds, and use these experiences to inspire their own creative choices.
We want our children to develop the language to talk about art, to notice colour, pattern, texture, line, shape and form, and to begin to understand that artists create in different ways for different purposes. Most importantly, we want children to enjoy being creative, take pride in their work and develop the confidence to try new ideas without fear of making mistakes.
Implementation
Our art curriculum follows an Imagine, Explore, Create approach, giving children opportunities to develop their ideas through experimentation, exploration and purposeful making.
Learning is carefully sequenced so that children build on previously taught knowledge, skills and techniques. They have regular opportunities to draw, paint, print, collage, sculpt and work with mixed media, developing increasing control and confidence as they progress through Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
Children are introduced to the work of a range of artists, such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Lauren Child, Two Faced Twins and Hello Dodo. They are encouraged to look closely at artworks, talk about what they notice, compare different styles and techniques, and use artists' work as inspiration for their own creations.
Children's learning journeys are captured through sketchbooks, Class Books and Best of Me books, providing evidence of their developing skills, ideas and independence. COOL Time and Rainbow Challenges provide further opportunities for children to revisit and apply their learning independently, allowing creativity and artistic skills to become embedded beyond taught art sessions.
In Reception, children are given frequent opportunities to Create with Materials, exploring and practising skills through continuous provision and creative workshops. Provision is carefully developed across the year so that children can revisit techniques and build on their previous experiences.
Impact
By the time children leave TAB Infant School, we want them to be confident, curious and creative young artists who are willing to experiment, explore and express their ideas.
Children will have developed a growing repertoire of artistic skills and techniques across drawing, painting, printing, collage, sculpture and mixed media. They will be able to select and use materials with increasing independence and make simple creative decisions about colour, shape, pattern, texture, line and form.
Children will have experienced and responded to the work of a range of artists and will begin to recognise that artists have different styles, ideas and ways of working. They will be able to talk about their own work and the work of others, explaining some of the choices they have made.
Our children's sketchbooks, Class Books and Best of Me books will demonstrate clear progression in skills, confidence and independence. Through their artwork and creative experiences, we aim for children to develop a love of art, pride in their achievements and the confidence to imagine, explore and create.