XAED440 - Hand Power is Brain Power

Course Description

In a digitally driven generation, children’s fine motor and problem solving skills are on the decline. The goal of this course is to give educators and parents non-digital tools and techniques that can be used to effectively support how children use their hands to learn, to think, to create and to recall what they have learned. Using basic tools and materials including clay, paper, glue sticks, toothpicks, scissors, markers and crayons, students learn how to improve the visual perception, tactile experiences, bilateral and hand/eye coordination, concentration, problem solving, and fine motor skills of early learners. This course provides an opportunity to re-think creative expression and basic art education strategies. Using mixed-media, students learn how to integrate literacy, language and basic skills into art education.  Hand Aerobics, Scissor Education, Japanese Kirigami, Pre/Post Assessment methods, folding, free-hand cutting and gluing techniques are explored. Students work both independently and in groups.

Prerequisite: None