Visual arts in early childhood education

HomeEarly childhood education resourcesVisual arts in early childhood education
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Early childhood
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Visual arts in early childhood education

HomeEarly childhood education resourcesVisual arts in early childhood education

Topic summary

The visual arts afford children a wide range of opportunities to communicate, to explore ideas and emotions, and to extend their learning.

The visual arts encompass an extensive range of visual modes that children utilise for expressing, communicating, mediating their thinking, engaging in aesthetic exploration and research.  Some common examples include painting, clay work, collage, weaving, construction and photography, although there are many more modes of visual expression and exploration. 

The visual arts support children’s learning in a number of ways by facilitating their ability to communicate, helping them to mediate their thinking, and promoting their creativity and imagination. The visual arts help children to develop an appreciation for diverse points of view and build their cultural knowledge. They also can offer emotional support to children, particularly in relation to transitions from home to the early childhood setting. Children also learn about the symbolic systems of representation and communication valued by their communities through the visual arts.

Research has shown the visual arts to be a rich domain through which young children can explore and represent their experiences, think through and deepen their working theories, and develop their creative thinking. 

There are a number of ways to incorporate the visual arts in early childhood settings. As well as having a dedicated visual arts making space, you can make a range of materials available daily and place materials in other spaces throughout your setting. You can also talk to children about their art making, encourage them to reflect on and discuss what they have created, and engage in art making alongside them. 

  • What value does your early childhood setting place on the visual arts, and does this align with your centre’s overarching philosophy? 
  • Does your early childhood setting have a dedicated space for visual arts making?
  • How do you talk to children about their artwork and invite them to discuss their work?
  • How comfortable and confident are you engaging in visual arts making alongside the children?

Research reviews

An introduction to the visual arts in early childhood education

What the research says about the visual arts and how they contribute to children’s learning and development, as well as some practical tips to help teachers and children express themselves through the visual arts.

Progression and skill development in the visual arts

An overview of the research on how children’s artistic skills and ability develop over time.

Supporting children’s thinking and cognition through the visual arts

How the visual arts support children’s cognitive development.

What role should teachers take in children’s visual arts experiences?

How teachers can actively support children’s sustained engagement with complex creative arts.

Webinars

Gelli plate printing – a practical art workshop

Back by popular demand, Dr Gai Lindsay hosts a practical visual arts workshop focused on how teachers can incorporate gelli plate printing into their early childhood contexts

Learning through the visual arts in early childhood education

LIVE EVENT: 7.30PM MONDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Gai Lindsay, Sarah Probine, Rachel Denee, and Denise Savins will share insights from their brand new book on visual arts education

Visual arts – a practical workshop

Dr Gai Lindsay provides a practical session focused on supporting teachers with their own art-making as well as their pedagogy around the visual arts in early childhood education.

Visual arts and teacher self-efficacy beliefs

Dr Gai Lindsay, Dr Sarah Probine, and Dr Rachel Denee talk about their research about the role of early childhood teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in their visual arts practices.

Early musical learning

Watch Greta Bull-Crossan discuss ways musical play can be supported and empowered across infant, toddler and preschool age groups.
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Infographics

Visual Arts infographic

How children use visual arts and how teachers can help.

Snapshots

Teacher self-efficacy and the visual arts in early childhood education

Key insights from our webinar with Gai Lindsay, Sarah Probine, and Rachel Denee on the importance of teacher self-efficacy in teaching the visual arts.

Empowering young children with musical play and exploration

Ideas and insights for musical exploration and experiences in early childhood settings from our webinar with Greta Bull-Crossan.

Key ideas for enhancing visual arts practice in your early childhood setting

Practical ideas from our webinar on the visual arts in early childhood education with Dr Sarah Probine and Jacqui Lees.
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