The M+E Art Curriculum – Me and Environment

The M+E Art Curriculum – Me and Environment

As educators, one of the most powerful ways we can help children grow is by encouraging them to reflect on themselves and the world around them. Art offers an interactive way for kids to process their experiences and express themselves, both their world (“Me”) and the outer world (“Environment”). The “Me and Environment” Art Curriculum from Creative Kids Art Lessons is designed to help young learners develop a deeper connection to themselves, their surroundings, and the broader community. This curriculum is an innovative, interdisciplinary approach that blends personal expression with environmental awareness, fostering creativity, empathy, and critical thinking in children.

What is the “Me and Environment” Art Curriculum?

The “Me and Environment” Art Curriculum focuses on two interconnected themes: Me, which refers to the exploration of self-identity and personal expression, and Environment, which encourages children to engage with the world around them—whether it’s nature, the local community, or the global environment.

The curriculum guides children through art-making processes that allow them to understand their relationship with both themselves and the world in a more creative and visual way. By combining both personal reflection and environmental exploration, this curriculum allows for a holistic approach to teaching art that supports emotional, cognitive, and social development.

1. Me: Self-Expression Through Art

The “Me” component of the curriculum focuses on the child’s sense of self, identity, and emotional expression. Art provides children with the opportunity to reflect on their feelings, experiences, and uniqueness, allowing them to express emotions they might not yet have the words for. By exploring their personal interests, stories, and imaginations, children begin to create representations of who they are. Look at the All About Me lesson plans

     

For example, projects could include:

1. • Self-Portraits: Rather than focusing solely on physical likeness, students can be encouraged to incorporate symbolic elements that reflect their emotions, hobbies, or dreams. Look at the More About Me lesson plan for art projects.
   • Emotions: Children can explore different emotions through abstract or representational artworks, learning how to visually communicate feelings.
   • Personal Symbols: Encouraging kids to create symbols or visual representations that reflect aspects of their identity, such as Favourite animals, hobbies, or values.

Through these activities, students gain confidence and a sense of agency as they learn to express and understand their feelings and experiences.

2. Environment: Connecting Art to the World Around Us

The “Environment” part of the curriculum encourages children to engage with their surroundings—both natural and social—and consider how they interact with and influence the world. This element fosters a sense of responsibility, environmental awareness, and social consciousness. Children explore themes like nature, community, and sustainability, creating art that reflects their understanding of these larger concepts.

Projects for the “Environment” theme include:

1. • Animal Art Projects: Children can learn about animals in the natural world from particular environments, such as African or Australian animals. We explore the world of bugs and beetles, as well as go under the water with whole units on sea life and fish. There are fun projects based on owls, pets, and farm animals giving a wide cross section of animal life to explore.
   • Landscapes: Kids can learn about their city and the landscape where they live. They can explore projects based on professional artist and learn about atmospheric and tonal landscape painting.
   • Plants: Investigating the natural world by doing art projects based on trees and plants or flowers is a great way to learn and enjoy creating. By using reference images or collecting plants elements from the environment children can reflect on their surroundings.

This part of the curriculum encourages children to see themselves as active participants in the world, promoting empathy and social responsibility.

Why is the “Me and Environment” Curriculum Important?

1. Promotes Self-Awareness

The “Me” component of the curriculum helps children connect with their emotions, strengths, and values. By creating art that represents who they are and how they feel, students develop a deeper understanding of themselves. This can boost their self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and resilience. When children learn to articulate their emotions through art, they are better equipped to navigate the complexities of their inner world. The wellbeing art unit is a great place to start to talk about emotions.

2. Cultivates a Connection to Nature and the World

Incorporating environmental themes into the curriculum helps children become more attuned to the natural world and aware of the challenges it faces. By connecting with nature through art, children develop a sense of wonder and respect for their surroundings. This heightened environmental awareness can lead to a lifelong passion for protecting the planet and promoting sustainability.

4. Fosters Critical Thinking

The combination of personal reflection and environmental exploration encourages children to think critically about their identity and their place in the world. They learn to make connections between their personal experiences and the larger social and environmental issues that affect them. Through discussions, research, and the creative process, students are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and reflect on complex ideas.

 

The Me and Environment Art Curriculum provides a unique opportunity for children to explore their identities while also developing a sense of connection to the world around them. By combining self-expression with environmental awareness, this curriculum fosters creativity, empathy, and social responsibility—skills that will benefit children far beyond the classroom. For teachers, it offers a flexible and enriching approach to art education, one that empowers students to explore their inner world while engaging with the larger, interconnected world we all share.