Through the early years, children explore with the use of crayons, markers and clay. In the elementary art program students learn to handle a variety of medium and the techniques to express themselves with these materials. In the younger elementary grades, freedom of exploration is encouraged and in the later elementary grades the methodologies of art and drawing are emphasized. Throughout the elementary art program, appropriate usage of the vocabulary and techniques of various artists is stressed and practiced. Art History and art appreciation are part of the curriculum. Students are provided with examples of the professional artist's work. The older elementary students begin to confront challenges of the adult artist: rendering objects in the third dimension, perspective, and shading.