THE SELF PORTRAIT PROJECT
Documenting the Importance of Self Through Art
As a teacher of a Reggio based program it was my job to enhance the image of a child. In order to do this as effectively as possible I needed to provide the children with endless ways and opportunities to express themselves through a large array of materials and experiences. The self-portrait project is something I came up with last year when the children were eagerly asking me to set up an art project with them. I knew I wanted to provide them with the opportunity to try something new but I just wasn't sure of what that was going to be. In fact it wasn't until I saw a child staring at himself in the mirror that I had an epiphany. Children at this age are very curious about who they are and they love being able to see their own reflection. I took out some pencils, paper and of course a mirror and I started asking the children open ended questions about what they were seeing. “What shapes is your head?” “How many eyes do you have?” “Can you tell me what other things you see on your face?” I would then have the children draw those observations to the best of their ability. The kids took their time. If they didn't feel like working on their picture we would just save it for another day. I wanted this project to be something enjoyable and I think that’s a part of why the results were just so astounding.
As adults I think we sometimes forget what children are capable of accomplishing. Even I have to admit I was shocked when I first saw the pieces the kids were making. I mean most of these portraits have an amazing likeness to the children who created them. I also think it is important to note that the most important part of this project to me is not the result of the final piece of art but the way the child feels making the art. I want the children to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they make their art. There is so much negativity in the world that I think it is just so important to provide kids with a strong sense of self at an early age. Each child is important and they deserve to know that they can do ANYTHING they set their mind to. The fact that I can help the kids feel this through an art project is what makes me so passionate about teaching in a preschool program.
As adults I think we sometimes forget what children are capable of accomplishing. Even I have to admit I was shocked when I first saw the pieces the kids were making. I mean most of these portraits have an amazing likeness to the children who created them. I also think it is important to note that the most important part of this project to me is not the result of the final piece of art but the way the child feels making the art. I want the children to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they make their art. There is so much negativity in the world that I think it is just so important to provide kids with a strong sense of self at an early age. Each child is important and they deserve to know that they can do ANYTHING they set their mind to. The fact that I can help the kids feel this through an art project is what makes me so passionate about teaching in a preschool program.