NAEYC’s HELLO online forum is a great place to have conversations and create connections with peers around important early learning issues.

Excerpts from HELLO have been edited for style and length.

Question

I have read that you shouldn’t write on the front of children’s artwork. Instead, you should display their work with their name and any comments they made about their work written on a tag. What are others’ opinions on this subject, and why has this been a practice?

—Audrei, New York

Answers

I encourage children to put their own names on their work wherever they want. I also ask if they want me to write about their work directly on their paper, but I love the idea of a separate label. We have a dedicated art gallery where we showcase special projects; in most cases, children are invited to hang their work themselves. This way, they can choose whether they want their names displayed, and they have ownership of the classroom.

—Amy, North Carolina

I encourage children to write their own names on their artwork. If they don’t want to or don’t know how, I ask them where they would like me to write their names. Some children prefer their names on the back, and some children choose a space on the front. I used to write children’s names on a spot that I chose and found that they would paint or draw over the name I wrote.

Now, they have a sense of ownership over where their names go. When displaying artwork, I usually write up something about the project and skills the children were working on while engaging with the materials so that families can see the learning documented.

—Sherrie, California

We use sticky notes to record children’s names, their dictation, and the date. I also have laminated name tags with each child’s name and photo that I staple or tape under their work so that every child can find their work by either reading their name or finding their picture. Children can choose to write their names on their art or not. I give them plenty of opportunities to practice name writing through other learning experiences. I challenge children who are ready and/or like to draw and write to label a drawing of themselves with their names!

—Melissa, New York

Do you have questions or suggestions to share with your peers? Are you simply interested in reading different takes from early childhood educators around the country? Tap into the vibrant discussions on HELLO at hello.NAEYC.org/welcomehello.

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