From Shyness to Confidence: Indigenous Visual Arts in early Primary Education of tribal children

Abstract Book of the 8th World Conference on Teaching and Education

Year: 2025

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From Shyness to Confidence: Indigenous Visual Arts in early Primary Education of tribal children

Amruta Vinod Bhalerao

ABSTRACT:

Art education is an essential component that encourages tribal students towards new learning experiences and helps develop social skills at an early primary grade age. This study explores the impact of integrating tribal visual arts, such as mask-making and Bohada dance action songs, into the teaching-learning process for Grade 1 and 2 students in residential schools. Indigenous communities possess unique cultures and art forms, which can be leveraged to connect students to their academic curriculum. Key findings indicate that tribal students often feel shy when they first enter residential schools, and some tribal communities have languages without written scripts. This incorporation of visual arts will help tribal students to move out of their comfort zone and become familiar with peer learners. This method will also help them overcome their shyness and stage fear and become comfortable with effective communication. The study recommends implementing an 8-day indigenous visual art program for early primary students upon their arrival at residential tribal schools. This program will help tribal children to become familiar with the syllabus and create a supportive learning environment. Integrating visual arts into the curriculum enhances academic engagement and promotes cultural preservation and social development among early primary tribal learners.

Keywords: Art-Education, Bohada, Communication , Cultural-preservation, Social-skills