"This has certainly been a fruitful year for children's art," children's art educator Cheng Ming-chin said after selecting drawings for the 13th annual International Children's Art Exhibition. From the thousands of drawings he received from all over the world, Cheng was able to appreciate the children's expressions of life, freedom, self-confidence, and creativity.

During the past few years, increasing prosperity in the Republic of China has enabled people to appreciate beauty, and this in turn has encouraged art education, for adults and children alike. A Chinese Children's Art Education Institute has been established, and the business community has helped by donating money for lectures and other activities. Besides painting exhibitions, a series of stamps has been issued featuring children's art. Every year, children from more than 70 countries enter the international exhibition, helping to stimulate interest in art among children in Taiwan.

A few years ago, art education consisted of the teacher drawing something on a blackboard, and having the students copy it. Those whose drawings did not look like the teacher's, would not get passing marks.

Things have changed since then. Most elementary school art classrooms have easels, pottery wheels, and other equipment to inspire children's creativity. Classes are not limited to drawing only, but include sculpture, industrial arts, design, and others. Children can use such raw materials as paint, plaster, clay, wood, paper, metal, glass, cotton, and silk. But it is their imagination that counts the most.

As well as formal art classes at regular school, there are also private art schools which allow children to express themselves fully. For instance, at the Lin-Li Chie Tou Art Center, instructors use liberal teaching methods to provide an enjoyable environment, and at weekends, they take the children on field trips. When they return to the classroom, the students can draw butterflies, flower and trees, or model lambs and chickens out of clay, without feeling any restraints.

Some people may ask whether, with so much time taken up with outings and free expression, is there any left for instruction. Cheng Ming-chin answers by saying that academic training cannot begin before children reach the age of 13. If technical training begins too soon, latent creative ability may wither and die. The purpose of children's art education is not to produce technical excellence, but rather to expose students to artistic ideas and improve their powers of observation and appreciation. Such methods give children self-confidence and courage. They learn how to express themselves, and they become more complete human beings.

Picasso said: "I try to imagine the feelings of a five-year-old before I paint." Matisse expressed the same sentiment: "I wish I could see with the eyes of a child when I draw." The world of children is full of marvels and mysteries. Children's drawings reveal purity and freshness. Children's art education is aimed at developing these qualities. "You have certainly seen children completely absorbed in drawing all over a wall or floor," Cheng said. "If parents have a little patience, and quietly stand to one side and observe their children, their anger will quickly disappear, and they will find themselves surprised and moved," he said.

Mr. Cheng asks parents to understand and respect the world of their children. "Don't tell them too soon to be a 'good boy' or a 'little man'. Don't give them the values and desires of adults, let them play freely and independently, and learn and imitate their friends. Let them keep their wonder and freshness as long as possible. Give them a big piece of paper, a big lump of clay and let them create their own world. This is the best kind of art education. Let them draw what they want, don't tell them how to draw and what to draw."

Children's art educator Franz Cizek put it well; "There is no secret to my method of teaching children art. I just love children, care about children, encourage children, and try to be their friend."

Children are our most precious resource. It is the hope in the Republic of China to produce creative children, and the development of art education can help in the attainment of this goal. The latent abilities of children are an unlimited storehouse of wealth. Many years from now, society, schools, and especially educators quietly cultivating children, will say that this year there was certainly a "bumper harvest" in children's art. Through allowing children to mature in an atmosphere of love and care, it is hoped every year will produce similar results.

[Picture Caption]

1) Children's art is simple, pure, and colorful. 2) An experimental art class at Taipei's Mintsu Elementary School. 3) Nursery school children drawing during an outing. 4) A class at a private art school.

1)2) The theme "The City of the Future" allows children to show their imagination and creativity. 3)4) Taipei through the eyes of children.

1) Children's art on stamps. 2) Frankness expressed in children's art. 3) In this drawing we can see the stress of athletic competition. 4) A nursery school student's drawing of his mother doing the wash.

Nursery school children drawing during an outing.

An experimental art class at Taipei's Mintsu Elementary School.

A class at a private art school.

The theme "The City of the Future" allows children to show their imagination and creativity.

The theme "The City of the Future" allows children to show their imagination and creativity.

Taipei through the eyes of children.

Taipei through the eyes of children.

Children's art on stamps.

Frankness expressed in children's art.

In this drawing we can see the stress of athletic competition.

A nursery school student's drawing of his mother doing the wash.