The Dot and Teaching Art in Primary

As a child, I was convinced that I was terrible at art. My attempts at cutting, coloring within the lines, or creating anything remotely resembling what my teachers and classmates were producing felt like a constant struggle. Art projects filled me with dread because, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to get it "right."

It wasn't until university that I had a revelation: art wasn't about perfectly replicating someone else's vision. It was about exploration, play, creativity, making a mess, and slowly improving with each attempt. This discovery transformed my perspective on art, turning what was once a source of anxiety into a passion.

Fast forward to today, and every September, as I introduce the first art project of the school year, I look around my classroom and recognize that same anxiety in some of my students. There's always someone who just knows they are "terrible" at art—someone who dreads picking up a paintbrush, someone who would rather be doing anything else.

That's why I read "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds to my students. It illustrates perfectly those anxious feelings and also what can happen when you let go and get to work!

I always find myself getting a little teary-eyed during the scene where Zoé passes on her teacher’s words of encouragement to the little boy who admires her work. A lesson well learned is a lesson shared.

"The Dot" is more than just a story about art—it's a powerful tool for teaching growth mindset. It shows students that creativity, like any other skill, can be developed with time, effort, and a willingness to take risks. The process of making art, with its ups and downs, successes and "mistakes," is a perfect way to reinforce the idea that our abilities aren't fixed—they can grow and improve with practice.

After reading the story, we dive into our own art projects. I encourage my students to play with paint, paper, pens, and felts, and we make dots—lots of dots. The focus is on having fun with the supplies and understanding that art is about the joy of creation, not about perfection. We learn that sometimes we love what we create, and sometimes we don’t—and that’s perfectly okay. I always learn so much about my students when I see their unique approaches to this task.

Art Work Sample Idea The dot

For those teaching in French, the book is also available in French under the title "Le point de départ". or your library might have an older copy called "Un bon point pour Zoé."  I love using the video version as a backdrop while I read the French version aloud to my students. It’s a wonderful way to merge visual storytelling with language learning.

Many teachers teach this book as part of Dot Day. This year it is September 15, 2024 Teachers from around the world will be reading this book. You can find more information about Dot Day here.

What about you? Do you have a favorite art story or another book that you love reading to your students?

If you’re planning to celebrate Dot Day this year, I’ve created a special resource to help make it even more memorable. My Dot Day Resource Pack is filled with over a week’s worth of activities designed to extend the themes of The Dot into your classroom, covering everything from oral language and language arts to math and art. It’s perfect for keeping the creativity flowing all week long!

You can check out the resource here and see how it can help your students embrace their creativity and develop a growth mindset.