Course Title: ART 357 Art Therapy Perspective –Understanding Children’s Art
Term: Spring 

Course Description 

THERAPY PERSPECTIVE−UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN’S ART/THREE CREDIT Major, Elective credit. Prerequisites: ART 111, 112, 355 or permission of instructor.​

 

This course is a study of the child’s artistic process and the neurodevelopmental process of creativity. There will be an emphasis on the artistic states/sequences of child development, as well as assessments relevant to each age level. The material presented in this course will give students an expanded concept of the needs of children in diverse populations, and the approaches utilized by art therapists in the treatment of children―Lab fee.

 

Required Texts

• American Psychological Association (2020). Publication manual of the american psychological association (7th Ed.). American Psychological Association.

• Chapman, L. (2014).  Neurobiological informed trauma therapy with children and adolescents. WW Norton & Co.

• Pelo, A. (2017). The language of art: Inquiry-based studio practices in early childhood settings (2nd Ed.). Red Leaf Press.

• Additional reading assignments are provided on Canvas. 

 

Course Learning Objectives

To provide psycho-educational lectures, films, readings, discussions, and integrative experiences that:

1. enhance an understanding of the developmental and theoretical approaches that contribute to the best and most current art therapy practices with youth;

2. continue acquiring the skills necessary to facilitate a developmentally applicable art experiential for children and adolescents;

3. explore the interrelationship of 3–D studio competencies and personal symbolism;

4. examine and nurture cultural humility within themselves and diverse populations.

 

Course Learning Outcomes 

The student will be able to:

1. identify an understanding of the developmental and theoretical approaches that contribute to 

    best and most current art therapy practices with youth;

2. demonstrate the skills necessary to facilitate a developmentally applicable art experiential for children and adolescents;

3. articulate the interrelationship of 3–D studio competencies and personal symbolism;

4. uphold and nurture cultural humility within themselves and diverse populations.

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Assignment 1: Critical Reading Response Papers 

Strong reading comprehension and time management skills are required for the field. This assignment is an opportunity to strengthen these skills and build a solid theoretical foundation.  To sufficiently comprehend the reading material, you are expected to write a 1̶ paragraph reflection. Reference the article or chapter in APA format. 

 

Your considerations should NOT be a summary of the reading. Underlining key ideas and making marks in the margins can help you organize your thoughts. These papers are designed to hone your critical reading and writing skills. To this end, please avoid providing a simple summary of the texts, personal anecdotes, and strive for a studied commentary that assesses the validity and strengths of the arguments presented in your paper. All critical reading reflections must be uploaded onto your Google folder by the beginning of class to receive full credit. Any late papers will result in no credit for that day.

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• Critical Reading Response Paper01.pdf

• Critical Reading Response Paper02.pdf

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Assignment 2: Altered Book Sculpture and Visual Research

This assignment is an opportunity to demonstrate the foundational learning content as part of the core undergraduate curriculum. The Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Education Programs in Art Therapy (2016) determine this curriculum. Students will demonstrate art proficiency in 2- and 3- dimensional art media techniques and processes.

 

Create an altered book.  Use one of the following questions as inspiration for the sculpture−

 

1. How would you symbolize childhood?  

2. Pick a specific social or mental health issue that affects children.

 

While the subject is children, the symbolism is not to create art as a child would create art, but to explore an Artist as Therapist Identity. Also, please do not represent your childhood or a personal mental health issue.

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