A child begins its primary studies by observing and imitating the different objects or sounds it senses around. Different art materials are capable of producing different images in the minds of a preschooler, but it is not mandatory that the same materials should create the same effect in a child approaching adolescence; instead it may evoke an entirely different image and symbols into his mind.
The use of the art materials are different in a preschooler and in a child approaching adolescence. A preschooler is generally interested in soft pencils, crayons, thick paints, clay, markers or cut/torn contrasting papers and in the creation of different pictures and objects. These art materials may help the child to gain interest and motivation. A child, who is not at all interested in drawing may attract to clay or vice-versa.
The preschool years are very notable in one’s life and each day he finds out new things and are the most exciting days of his life. It is the age that inculcates different artistic talents in him. At this age, children try to attain new skills, abilities, and knowledge. The preschoolers sometimes exhibit an “adult-like” in their physical appearance which might be influenced by the adults who often expect grown-up behavior in them. They indulge in various games and make friendships. But these friendships are mainly based on toys and they may often end in a quarrel or tears.
The same thing happens in their use of art materials. After drawing some pictures the child shows them to the elders and if he does not hear good comments, he is dejected. A preschooler does not like to share his art materials and his friendship is based on the toys which the other child possesses. But when it comes to an adolescent, things are somewhat different and he is able to recognize good friendships and is ready to share his own objects. A child approaching adolescence gives some importance to the art materials he possesses.
A preschooler always gives importance to his thoughts and feelings and he will not care whether his sister is crying for the same toy which he snapped from her. But when a child is approaching adolescence, he will have gradually acquired the ability or somewhat a proper awareness about social behavior and manners. He knows how to use art materials, to an extent, effectively. He will be capable of using the different colors, wherever it is necessary. So, it can be concluded that the preschooler’s use of art materials is different from the child who is approaching adolescence and the adolescent approaches the art materials seriously when comparing with a preschooler.