Aesthetics and a Sense of Wonder

Autor/in	Wilson, Ruth A.
Titel	Aesthetics and a Sense of Wonder
Quelle	In: Exchange: The Early Childhood Leaders' Magazine Since 1978, (2010) 193, S.24-26 (3 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0164-8527
Schlagwörter	Stellungnahme; Young Children; Child Development; Aesthetics; Fantasy; Cognitive Processes; Child Psychology; Emotional Experience + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Frühe Kindheit; Kindesentwicklung; Ästhetik; Fantasie; Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; Kinderpsychologie
Abstract	Rachel Carson (1956)--scientist, writer, and environmentalist--states that "A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement". Many people have heard and been inspired by these words, but may not have a clear idea about what wonder really is. This isn't surprising, because wonder in different contexts can mean different things. As used by Carson, wonder refers to a "clear-eyed vision," a "true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring". Wonder in this context is something one feels (an emotion), but also a "way of knowing" based on intuition or natural instinct. The sense of wonder is much more pronounced in children than in adults. Reflections of this can be seen in the way young children respond to and interact with certain elements of nature. Children's way of relating to the world corresponds to their unique way of knowing the world--that is, a way based more on wonder than analytical thought. In working with young children, adults often acknowledge the importance of aesthetic development. Providing aesthetic experiences and fostering their sense of wonder can help children see "potential beauty" as well as the beauty being experienced in the moment. For many adults, that marvelous gift of wonder they enjoyed when they were children becomes "dimmed and even lost before they reach adulthood." To keep the spark of wonder burning in their daily lives, it may be helpful to consider how children experience wonder. Another way to keep the spark of wonder alive is to surround themselves with beauty. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Exchange Press, Inc. P.O. Box 3249, Redmond, WA 98073-3249. Tel: 800-221-2864; Fax: 425-867-5217; e-mail: info@ChildCareExchange.com; Web site: http://www.childcareexchange.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10