Visual Thinking Strategies for Preschool ― Using Art to Enhance Literacy and Social Skills

Visual Thinking Strategies for Preschool shows how teachers can add visual thinking strategies (VTS) to their existing curriculum to encourage language, critical thinking, and social skills for children ages three to five. In this sequel to his popular book, Visual Thinking Strategies, author Philip Yenawine describes using art and other visual experiences to create engaging and powerful learner-centered environments for young children just beginning their formal school experience.

Implemented in hundreds of schools, districts, and cultural institutions, the VTS teaching method features an open-ended conversation about a selected work of art. Teachers facilitate the group conversation using simple questions: “What’s going on in this picture?,” “What do you see that makes you think that?,” and “What more can we find?”

The book provides transcripts and analysis of classroom conversations as a means of illustrating the range of ways VTS can be used with preschoolers. Drawing on interviews with preschool teachers from public, private, and charter schools from around the country, Yenawine highlights the benefits of these discussions for students, including English language learners and students with special needs.

Visual Thinking Strategies for Preschool provides teachers with another means to teach language and social skills, and introduces students to the treasures found in art.

Philip Yenawine is a cofounder of Visual Understanding in Education, former director of education at the Museum of Modern Art, and a recipient of the National Art Education Association’s Award for Distinguished Service.