Developmental Art Therapy in the Classroom

About the Book

ABSTRACT: Developmental Art Therapy in the Classroom, 2nd edition (2010, 171 pp.), by Geraldine H. Williams and Mary M. Wood. Developmental Art Therapy in the Classroom uses a developmental lens for reaching children through art. It is a resource for teachers and art therapists who want to promote children’s social, emotional, and behavioral development through art. Applying developmental principles of social-emotional growth, it recognizes that art is an intensely personal form of expression. It makes use of skills children have and offers art experiences to expand their competencies for communicating, socializing, creating, expressing ideas, and exploring the world around them. It does not focus on clinical or symbolic interpretation, nor does it rely on art for catharsis or self-insight. Instead, the authors provide details about how to provide developmentally matched art experiences to support a child’s continuing growth. They offer details about how to motivate, manage behavior challenges, and adapt lessons for individual differences. Examples of art produced by children at each stage of development are included. Finally, there are 62 pages of step-by-step art lessons using 47 various media suitable to each stage of development beginning with the very young through the teen years.

About the Author

Geraldine H. Williams, M. Ed., an art educator and registered art therapist for over 40 years, has an advanced degree in Art Education and certifications in art education and special education for students with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities. With extensive experience at the Rutland Program and the Developmental Therapy Institute outreach projects, she has shaped Developmental Art Therapy into a unique set of effective practices used successfully by teachers and therapists. She continues to be a dynamic advocate for the arts to foster mental and behavioral health for all children. Through her consultant work with universities, schools, and clinics, she brings an unequalled depth of experience and success to curriculum and implementation programs using a developmental lens for reaching children through art. Mary M. Wood, Ed. D., is Professor Emeritus of Special Education and director of the Developmental Therapy-Teaching Programs in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia. She established the special education graduate teacher training program and clinic at the University of Georgia for children with severe social, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. Translating theory and research into practice across disciplines, she led a team to establish the first Developmental Therapy-Teaching methodology with successful, evidence-based demonstration programs from learning theory, child development, special education, social work, and clinical psychology. Collaboration between the authors at the Rutland Program in Athens, Georgia resulted in the successful field-tested practices contained in this volume.