Art Education in Kindergarten as Perceived by Future Teachers

Abstract

Summary:

Introduction: The article focuses on issues related to the (broadly defined) preschool art education. The authors present the results of pilot studies on the level of knowledge of students of preschool and early school education about teaching of art (including knowledge of art techniques which can be used when teaching preschool children) and their perception of what is the essence of such education.

Research Aim:

The aim of this research was to gather the opinions of future preschool education teachers on the essence of, and need to implement art education in kindergarten and their knowledge of art techniques that can be used in working with children.

Method:

The research utilised the method of a diagnostic survey, specifically a questionnaire. 60 full-time and part-time students in their second year of supplementary master's degree in pre-school and early school pedagogy completed the questionnaire. These were pilot studies, constituting the basis for further research, currently conducted by the authors. The research was carried out in February 2020.

Results:

The collected questionnaires point to a low level of art education awareness among both students and teachers, and illustrates minimal utilisation and marginalisation of this area in practice.

Conclusions:

On the basis of the conducted pilot research, the following questions arise: What is the cause of low awareness among students and teachers about the broadly understood art education and the possibility of its implementation in preschool? What can be done to improve this situation? Is it possible in the Polish education system?