In the art educational therapy (AET) research project introduced in this lecture, coursework is integrated into art therapy with the aim of facilitating emotional well-being and coursework learning. Theories and methods concerning “writing-images” are reviewed in the lecture. The concept “writing-images” refers to drawn images of alphabetical letters and numbers, which form part of the methods of art educational therapy.
During a specific developmental phase, many children draw letter shapes before they develop knowledge about phonetics and symbols that make up the letters of the alphabet. This period is called the “writing-images stage”. The lecture presents ways to work with “writing-images” with the goal of restoring, strengthening and preserving the educational foundation that was formed during the writing-images stage. At the same time, emotional expression through art making is observed through the prism of art therapy. In the lecture, an emphasis is placed on the importance of paying attention to children’s writing-images. The practical aspects of writing-images with regard to therapy and education are also discussed. It is important that participants have acquired some familiarity with art therapy, for example by attending lecture(s) and/or foundation course(s) on art therapy.
An overview of the basic principles of art educational therapy (AET) is presented in the course. Coursework learning is integrated into art therapy in AET with the aim of facilitating emotional well-being and enhancing coursework learning. In the lecture, examples will be reviewed which provide insight into the methods and concepts of AET. The lecture is intended for everyone interested in AET, including parents and professionals who work towards facilitating emotional well-being, self-development and improving coursework learning. Previous knowledge of art therapy is recommended, for example through having attended art therapy lecture(s) and/or course(s).
“The lecture was informative, a true eye-opener. It sparked a certain kind of hope for the future of children with specific learning difficulties, a hope that their educational difficulties will be viewed from a different perspective and as a result they’ll have greater access to support.”
“I think that the integration of art therapy and coursework learning, as presented in the lecture, is extremely interesting and there is much need for it in the school system. It is therefore necessary to implement this method, given that it would provide significant support for the individual, the teacher and the educational system as a whole.”
