Aesthetic and creative development

Foster children's aesthetic and creative development CHCFC508A

This unit is about developing and delivering programs that promote children's creative skills and aesthetic development. These may be:

• Visual arts experiences (e.g. drawing, painting, modelling, printing, construction, collage)
• Music and sound experiences (e.g. listening to music, singing, participating in music making, listening to sounds of nature
• Taste and smell experiences
• Performance such as dance or drama

Experiences should stimulate children's curiosity and learning through:

• encouraging active exploration, experimentation and learning
• introducing new ideas and experiences via formal and informal, planned and spontaneous experiences
• encouraging program input from children, staff, parents, community
• encouraging problem solving and curiosity.

Part 1: Observe a program

In a childcare centre or similar children's program, observe a program that enhances children's aesthetic and creative development.

Write your descriptions as follows:

• Write a schedule
• Describe each activity
• Describe the specific purpose of each activity
• Explain how each activity works
• List the equipment used
• Explain the layout of the room
• Make a list of instructions given to staff
• Make a list of lessons you learned:
• What kinds of activities work well and what don't?
• When should you intervene in a child's activity and when shouldn't you?
• What kinds of expectations do parents have? How can you best respond?

Part 2: Plan and conduct a program

Note: You will need to have more than one of these programs running at the same time.

Do a set of observations

Do a set of observations of groups of children on this area of development. They should range in age from children from toddlers to the end of primary school.

• Start by asking other workers about topics might represent particular areas of need.
• Prepare your own information-gathering method
• Implement you method.
• Write a set of conclusions that you have drawn from your data.
• Submit your results in a neat written form.

Plan the program

Write a 10-session plan for a childcare centre or children's program to enhance children's aesthetic and creative development. It must include at least three different art forms. Your plan needs to include children from toddlers to the end of primary school and include a range of activities for each age group.

In your plan:

• Write a schedule
• Describe each activity
• Plan transitions between activities
• Explain how each activity works
• List the equipment you will use
• Explain the layout of the room
• Write a set of instructions for your staff

Plan for the program to meet the following kinds of criteria:

• short term and long term goals
• progress of individual children
• progress of the group of children
• philosophy and overall goals of the service
• cost effectiveness
• appropriate practice.

Get your assessor to check your plan before you implement it.

Run the program

This includes leading a team of staff (e.g. orientation, team meetings), interacting with children, and interacting with parents and carers.

Your assessor will come in and observe you from time to time and may ask your supervisor for a reference.

Evaluate your program

Gather feedback from those involved in the program (other staff, parents). Use observation methods to get feedback from children.

Answer these questions:

• What in-course adjustments did you need to make?
• What did you do well?
• What would you do differently next time?
• What criteria are you using to assess the program?
• What kinds of a activities did you find easy? Why?
• Which did you find difficult? Why?
• What were the main lessons that you learned?
• What revisions do you need to make to your set of instructions? Write a revised version.

Your assessor will interview you on your program and evaluation.