easing the learning process
and providing the necessary condition in order to create the favorable
changes in character dimensions and behavior of children.
The art: and painting of children is not a new subject, in many
countries including Iran, there have been numerous valuable works by
the specialists and researchers in this field.
Obviously, the children's painting can be used to determine the
process of their mental growth and emotional problems and by using
their paintings effective steps can be taken
to their mental welfare, growth of creativity, self-confidence, and
treatment of psychological/emotional problems and also in teaching and
education. Unfortunately, I must confess that despite the importance
of art and specially painting in the lives of Iranian children, not
enough value has been placed either in kindergartens or schools.
Based on the statistics resulted from a scientific research, it is
clear to see that even in city of Tehran, the art classes are replaced
with other classes. The art teachers have not studied the special
courses in children s art and the majority of them do not use the art
textbooks recommended by the education board. Although, the school
texts (in art) should be discussed separately, but what is clear is
that the school as a major base for children's education is not
capable of performing its role in the growth and blossoming of the
children's art. In this case and when the school can not aid the
artistic (cultural) elevation of the next generation even in the
capital city, how can we expect the parents to pay attention to this
important matter. Parents who are either unaware of its importance or
even in case of their awareness due to their inability to access the
necessary facilities and the correct training are unable to guide
their children toward the right direction.
According to the statistics submitted by Ms Farahnaz Mokhtari in
the year 1377 (1998) the following were deduced:
The overall results gathered from the parents of children in grades 1
to 5:
1- 81.2% of student's grade 1 to 5 are interested in painting
2- 48.6% of the parents of the first to fifth graders place importance
on their children's painting
3- 43.8% of the first to fifth grade teachers place importance on the
students painting
4- 97.2% of primary school teachers dedicate the painting classes to
other subjects
5- 15.2% of the students parents have discussed their children's
painting with their teachers
6- 87.4% of the students parents are ready to attribute financially in
building art workshops
7- 86% of the fourth and fifth grade teachers have never taught the
art book
It is necessary to mention that the goal in this statistical sample
has been to determine the views of the parents of primary school
students on the students' interest in painting and the procedure for
teaching to paint The questions were performed as an interview and in
groups and accidentally in 12 schools located in area 14, during the
hours of 16:45 as the parents came to pick up students from school.
After comparing the answers, which were given to each question in
the 5 grades, it car be concluded that the students' interest in
painting decreases gradually as they reach the last years of primary
school. Also, the parents and teachers place less importance or
painting, and the majority of primary school teachers dedicate the
painting classes to other subjects. Also, the parents never discuss
their children's painting with the related teacher.
The art textbook is not taught in the primary school and has
remained unused. The positive point in these interviews was that the
majority of parents are ready to offer then financial assistance in
creating art workshops in the schools.
Additionally, some questions on the procedure for performing the
painting classes in the schools were put to the school principals, the
result of which is as follows:
