Using art criticism to investigate aesthetic appreciation in children with high and low aesthetic judgment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to reveal the aesthetic appreciation of young children with high aesthetic judgment scores (HAJS) and low aesthetic judgment scores (LAJS). The study was designed as a qualitative case study. The research sample consisted of 10 children: five with the HAJS and five with the LAJS as determined through criterion sampling of 100 children aged 60-72 months.Taylor-Helmstadter Pair Comparison Scale of Aesthetic Judgment and individual interviews including art criticism method were used for data collection. Art criticism was carried out with children regarding the work of artist & Idot;brahim Balaban titled Children's Joy of Play. The art criticism activity was recorded via audio and subsequently transcribed in written form. The children's opinions were then analyzed through content analysis. The study results showed children with HAJS liked the artwork due to its characters traveling as well as being respectful and helpful, while children with LAJS did not provide reasons for liking the artwork.