SAIIER 2016:Play of Painting at Nandanam Kindergarten

Nandanam Kindergarten		Teachers' Center
Play of Painting A project of Nandanam Kindergarten

Introduction

Our purpose with Activity::Play of Painting at Entity::Nandanam Kindergarten is to provide a physical and psychological safe environment for the children, where they can express themselves freely through painting without examination, competition or judgment. When there is no praise or influence or intervention of any kind, children begin to paint what is their own expression, their innate playfulness. Research shows that a universal language progressively emerges. Arno Stern named it “Formulation”.

“Formulation” is a transformative process, emerging independently from socio-cultural environment or any outside influences. It emanates from deep inside and appears very early among the needs of small children. Formulation works integrally and results in personality-fortifying, balance and fulfillment. When students become more emotionally attuned through their painting, they are naturally more confident and expressive. Whoever practices and experiences the emergence of Formulation through Play of Painting is freed from dependence on models and develops positive autonomy.

Description of project

Each group of children at Nandanam (Prithvi group, Vayu group, and Agni group) came once a week for Play of Painting. Jalam group – the youngest children – came during the last term as usual. Each groups' paintings were documented digitally and stored physically in a methodical manner.

We ensured a continuous presence in the studio, Mita and Nadia acting as servants. Their role was to ensure that all materials were in place so that all the participants could concentrate exclusively on the creative act. Four days a week were utilized for the actual activity of Play of Painting with the groups, and one day was used for updating work.

Outcomes

All the 58 children of Nandanam Kindergarten benefited from Play of Painting. A safe environment was created to shelter the children from pressure and outside influences, where each child was given the space to express himself/herself through painting. This allowed the children to fulfill themselves among others rather than against others. At the same time the activity stimulated and enhanced the behavioral experience of those who came to paint. Children learned to trust, to express the richness of their world and to respond to their voices within.

Reflections

The purpose of this activity is not to produce a painting, but to have the pleasure of freedom of expression. This method makes it possible to remove oneself from criticism and pressure, both internal and external, and just concentrate on the creative act alone. This was achieved in our work this year.

This year the school camera stopped working in the last term and so we had great difficulty documenting digitally in the last term. This led us to understand that we need a camera specifically for Play of Painting so that our work can happen unhindered.

The research for this work was done by Arno Stern for over 50 years, then by Claire at Kindergarten and now by us at Nandanam. We see how it helps the expression of the deeper self and the joy and happiness that children experience after their expression with colours. Now we continue Play of Painting at Nandanam as a regular activity aligned with integral education.

Conclusion

In general it was a satisfying year – we could create a safe environment and provide the materials (thanks to SAIIER) needed for Play of Painting. Children enjoyed expressing themselves and growing due through self-affirmation in the collective. It gave us enormous satisfaction to see the emergence of Formulation in the work of the children.