Teaching and Zentangle

I recently read an article by Deanna Marie Gibson from Bold Park Community School in Perth Western Australia.  The topic was:

 "Why encourage students to focus on the structured patterns which make up the    art method?  

We engage in Zentangle to address many different aspects of our students development.  Focus, creativity, relaxation, ceremony, empowerment, abstraction, fun and discovery are just a few
of the many benefits of this elegant activity.  We know that the development of intentional mark making, writing, needs an element of drill and practice to become embedded in muscle memory. 
The repeated patterns of Zentangle engage muscle and hand/eye coordination in creating memory
and a strength to support all fine motor tasks that are encountered.

Focus on the task of tangling clears the mind and gets rid of noise leaving the tangler ready to
learn and engage with new ideas and concepts. Ursula, our middle school/college math teacher,
has reflected that math lessons after tangling are more productive than those not.

Tangle patterns require seeing not only the whole, but the parts of the whole thus allowing for
greater understanding.  Tangle pattern "step-outs" break seemingly complicated and impossible
patterns into easy doable steps.  A lesson in life perhaps?

Seeing patterns in the world around us helps us not only to understand but create something
new by changing/combining patterns.

The strategies, tool and techniques that are learned when tangling are those you need to draw
and create in other mediums.  Success and empowerment is a powerful motivator when attempting new things.

The patterns combine to create images pleasing to the brain.  Thus confidence in being a creative person is restored and transfers to other forms of art.

Zentangle reminds us that "anything is possible, one stroke at a time®".  So at Bold Park we
have chosen to tangle with our students, to utilize the benefits of tangling to support the
development of our students.

Like all other elements of your child's development, Zentangle will work best if it is supported
and understood by parents and families.




I agree with Deanna, and have seen the results from students with my own eyes.  I hope this encourages all the teachers to see the Zentangle light and get the kids into this great media of art.

I live in San Diego area and would love to introduce the Zentangle Method into the school district.  Please call me for classes for all ages of kids/classes/after school and/teachers then they could pass onto children. 
Janet Masey CZT  cell:  858-505-9611