Art with Kids

Product vs. Process -what’s the point?

Both can be equally important! You don’t have to pick one to focus on but it can help to understand the benefits of both approaches. In reflection, ask kids about both the process and the product. 

Stressing process

Our society typically prioritizes the product rather than the experience involved in getting there. However, it’s often how kids feel during the creative process that is empowering. 

Process-oriented projects typically:

• Are open ended, without a specific end-product in mind (like a free form painting or collage) 

• Are more child-led and focus on creative self-expression 

• Allow kids to create without worrying about making mistakes 

• Help kids practice positive and self-driven decision making and express themselves in a healthy way 

They can be good for: 

• When you’re introducing a new artistic medium youth aren’t familiar with

• Incorporating a potentially challenging theme

• Working with a particularly thoughtful and intentionally moving child who may be moving slowly

• Creating with younger children or those who struggle with following directions 

Ask questions like: 

• Tactile questions about the experience of creating: 

• “How did the clay feel in your hands?” 

• “How did you decide what to do first?” 

- Emotional questions about how they felt while they were creating 

• “Where was your mind focused while you were painting?”

•  “How did it feel when you were making this?”

Stressing product

Sometimes, the process is frustrating for youth, especially teens, and getting them through to the product is key. This does not mean the process loses importance, but sometimes getting them started and keeping them going to an end is the most valuable approach. 

Product oriented projects typically: 

• Have a goal or specified outcome in mind (like a clay luminary or a collaborative mural) 

• Are more instructional; aim to teach a skill or introduce youth to a craft (like metal-smithing jewelry or calligraphy) 

• Allow kids to focus on something and push through self doubt and perfectionism to create something

• Help kids feel connected to others or a medium, feel pride in themselves and their ability, be exposed to new things and learn a new coping mechanism or healthy hobby

They can be good for: 

• Harder or more skill-oriented mediums that take practice to get the hang of.

• Collaborative projects: While the process of creating a small piece of something might not look like much on it’s own, seeing how many pieces come together to create something bigger than any individual part is impactful and can help kids feel connected to their community. 

• Older kids and teens who refuse to participate with too much freedom 

Ask questions that: 

• Inquire about how they want their finished piece to exist in the world 

  • “If you could show this to anyone, who would you show it to?” “Where would you display this if you could put it anywhere?” 

• Follow the “growth mindset” model and celebrate persistence and effort over talent 

  • “I can tell you worked really hard on this. Did it feel different at the beginning and the end of the project?” 

• For collaborative projects, ask questions that reflect on the personal and the communal: “How do you feel about your contribution to this project?” “In what ways does your piece stand out from the rest? How did you make it unique?” “In what ways does your contribution strengthen the project as a whole?”