Ten years ago, my return to higher education took a different direction than expected. I wanted to enter the art therapy profession but a nearby campus ended its programming. Distance education was limited and taking myself and young children away from family support was not something I wanted to do as a single parent.
Receiving a visual art specialization and Bachelor of Education was a route unexpected but in hindsight was extremely valuable for learning about art of course, but also the complex needs of families, the challenges teachers endure in the education system, as well as the support required to learn.
Being able to provide art education at the independent school where I taught was a blessing for myself and the families who attended (they told me :). I had the task and freedom to create a curriculum that met provincial standards as well as the emotional, spiritual and cognitive needs of the students. The arts can teach us skills that support all other learning. Art supports emotional needs that help us enter self-reflection, become aware of the needs of the community, and move towards a global dialogue. Critical thinking skills are rooted in the creative process without limiting the freedom of expression.
I have witnessed the effects of how people, and specifically children, have practiced thinking. I see two that significantly affect learning in a negative way are contrary and condemning thinking, while the desired type of thinking is critical thinking. This skill of critical thinking is not mere judgment but requires a humble objectivity that can consider another perspective.
Contrary thinking is responding directly opposite to an initial thought. This is a block for either side of the conversation, like a block in improvisation. Being contrary doesn’t require creativity or critical thought. It is just doing or saying the opposite of what has been said.
Condemning thinking puts down a thought as a power move to undermine credibility. Something is either said about the thought or the person. Like contrary thinking, it is immediate, but it also utilizes undermining statements as if they were fact. I see this a lot when watching political, science and religion debates. This process can also be internalized which can impair emotional, spiritual and cognitive growth. Practicing being critical toward your own condemning thinking is important for changing perspective.
Art can be taught in a way that practices critical thinking using the creative process. Even with young children, the practice of thinking about materials, how they work and accepting how others use them can be a safe place to expand thinking. You are never too old to explore new habits through hands-on exploration, such as creative practice. Everyone can explore and practice the creative process to build better emotional, spiritual and cognitive skills.
