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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Why is my year 1 DD not doing any art at school?

71 replies

MrsUptight · 13/12/2013 20:36

Another thread has just made me realise that DD has not come out of school with any art work ONCE this year. Apart from things made for Christmas which I had to buy.

She comes out with little drawings in pen which she's done on scrap paper but not ONE painting.

Is that normal? She's five! They love and need art. Who shall I ask about this? Her teacher or the HT? I can offer to volunteer once a week if they need help or support with arts and crafts but I'm quite upset to have this realization...DD loves art.

OP posts:

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MrsCakesPremonition · 16/12/2013 00:36

So your single remaining option is...talk to her teacher.

Original poster

MrsUptight · 16/12/2013 00:36

Well I know! I said earlier in the thread that I would....others have commented since then so I've commented too. Is that ok with you??

OP posts:

MrsCakesPremonition · 16/12/2013 00:39

This is obviously something you feel very strongly about, although I'm not quite sure why that means you need to get snippy with people who join in your thread.

Original poster

MrsUptight · 16/12/2013 00:42

Because you were snippy with me...and others have been patronising and defensive. Read it back.

OP posts:

MM5 · 17/12/2013 05:55

As others have said, each half term or term different mediums are used and some schools alternate between art and DT. Most work is kept in a file until end of year.

This term our KS1 children have been using oil pastels and chalk.

I can see you are passionate about art. However, you seem stuck on painting which is only one medium. Just speak to the teacher and let him/her explain how art is taught in your school. No issue.

Iris445 · 17/12/2013 07:00

We haven't had a painting home yet.

However I have a DS who tells me everything and complains that they are not allowed to paint however they wish.

They have learnt to mix color from the wheel, lots of work on primary colours, shade with pencils, use chalk and use water colors.

They do lots of art but you wouln't know unless you child tells you.

I thank god this child tells me as I got nothing from DC1 and hadn't a clue what they did.

GoldFrankincenseAndTwiglets · 17/12/2013 11:25

OP, just wondering how you got the inspiration for your MN name? :)

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 17/12/2013 11:41

OP you are coming over as very precious and 'single issue' which is why are you are getting a somewhat firm response.

My DS1 is in year 1. We have had a couple of things sent home in his topic folder at the end of the first half term, I expect there will be more coming this week.

They do 'art' in lots of different ways, they do chalk pictures on the playground, design things on the computer, they made a clay model of what they had been to see on a school trip. It isn't just painting.

I think you have to accept that art is your personal thing but you can't expect school to bend to your wishes.
I am a good musician, I wish there was time in the curriculum for more than an hour or two of music a week. I know that the teachers try to work things in whenever they can, but for the moment I expand DS1's musical education at home and I wouldn't dream of going and harassing the school about it.
If the teachers have every parent coming and saying 'little Johnny/Mary isn't doing enough XXX' (whatever their pet subject is) can you see what a daft situation that is?

I don't really see your point about them sharing their work with you straight away. Do painting together at home if you want to discuss things. It isn't school's job to provide you with a conversation topic.

hels71 · 17/12/2013 11:55

Oh I wish there was time for an hour or two of music a week..............

columngollum · 17/12/2013 12:05

I've got a Y1 daughter and I don't think she does any painting. I never see evidence of it on her uniform! But she does come home with an endless series of scraps of computer paper with various scribbles and things stuck on them. Most of it goes straight in the bin.

Until I read this thread I hadn't actually thought about it. Although I do find all the scrap paper annoying.

columngollum · 17/12/2013 12:11

Actually, they do have workbooks which only come home once a year and in those workbooks they draw proper pictures and write captions underneath them, Oliver Cromwell, Fire of London, stuff like that. So, it's not painting, I know. But it's obviously directed artistic work.

I don't know what all the scraps on computer paper, etc. is about. I've never thought to ask. (And I don't think I will in the future.)

GoldFrankincenseAndTwiglets · 17/12/2013 12:33

The random scribbles and drawings are probably what they do in their free time (choosing time, golden time, whatever they call it). I know my DS does loads of that...

columngollum · 17/12/2013 12:47

Ah, thank you.

ohdofeckorf · 17/12/2013 13:39

Don't wanna put a dampner on it but Ds did no art work what so ever in year 1 and 2....and before anyone jumps on me the proof is in his English work books! (YR 1 - bought home an art book with 1 page filled in, 1 picture which looked like it had been on a wall, no pieces of scrap paper or finished DT projects, no evidence of chalks or paints. YR 2 - completely empty art book, no pictures from walls, no finished DT projects, no chalk or paint on his clothes etc etc).....because all focus was on the Dc's writing skills ready for KS1 SATS.....and here we were wondering why he hated school so much but he has plenty of time to do the things he really enjoys at home and he does.

simpson · 17/12/2013 19:51

DD today (also yr1) has made and decorated/painted salt dough decorations.

simpson · 17/12/2013 19:53

Oops posted too soon

The salt dough decs were to go on the Christmas tree in the classroom. So unless DD told me about it, I would be none the wiser as it's not in a work book iyswim.

JanePurdy · 17/12/2013 19:55

My DD's consistent complaint about Y1 is that she doesn't get to be 'creative' (her word).

MM5 · 19/12/2013 05:50

Curious to what the OP has been told regarding art when she asked the school.

jussi · 19/12/2013 23:04

I actually feel the teachers on this thread have become very defensive. If some of them reread what they have written here and then think about what they tell parents at parents' evenings and in their 'beginning of term' letters, I think they would be very contradictory.

I bet all of these teachers tell parents it's important to instill a love of learning into these children and the importance of child-initiated activities/ going with the child's interests and communicating with the parents.

Yet this thread is full of comments about 'schemes of work', curriculum, termly topics. How they should paint at home if they want things stuck on their fridge.

These teachers obviously haven't experienced/ or forgotten very quickly the sheer joy on their child's face when they have brought a piece of artwork home from nursery/reception for it to go straight up on the wall at home. Teachers forever go on about displaying children's work to build their confidence and are witness to children bringing in pictures they have done at home, well, likewise, children love showing off the work they have done at school at home.

I do understand the pressures the teachers are under( I am one myself) but at the same time shouldn't lose track of why they are in the profession and the effect they will have on these childrens confidence/ attitudes and ability to learn.

No wonder the majority of children enter reception full of enthusiasm for school but by the end of year 1 or year 2 have become bored and disillusioned with the school system.

MM5 · 20/12/2013 05:22

I don't disagree with you Jussi. But, I am really curious to hear what has happened since? What has the school said? Is the OP volunteering in school now?

CanYouKeepASecret2 · 20/12/2013 18:48

"No wonder the majority of children enter reception full of enthusiasm for school but by the end of year 1 or year 2 have become bored and disillusioned with the school system." Rather a sweeping generalisation there. I can't believe it is the case based on the extra notes parents have added to my Christmas cards about how much their DC is enjoying Year 2.
As a teacher jussi how do you find time to allow 30 children to paint every week?

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