In modern art philosophy such as the Reggio Emilia and Waldorf approaches, the teacher acts as a researcher and coach. Her role is to initiate the children's exploration of different themes and to guide them through projects into experiences of discovery and group problem solving. The teacher will ask questions, but not supply any concrete answers, in order to discover the children's ideas and theories. In this approach, the teacher sees the child as a strong, capable person who has the potential, curiosity and interest in constructing his own learning by exploring everything the environment has to offer. The child has to fill the role of the explorer, not confined to rules or a preconceived box on how art should be expressed. The classroom and school environment functions as a "third teacher," to stimulate creativity, and the teacher will take great care to enhance the environment to do just that.
In the philosophical approach of using art as a developmental tool, the aim is to achieve personal maturity in each child. Through the process of having to give visual form to experiences and observations, the child's whole being is active. Through the integration of thought, feeling and action, the child develops personal maturity when creating a work of art. The teacher views the child's art as an expression of his state of development. Art also assists in the brain's integration of the environment. The art media the child works with, such as paint, pastels and clay, all assist in the maturation of body, emotion and spirit.
The philosophy of using art as a form of therapy developed after the world wars, when there was a need for emotional healing and restoration. This approach is based on the belief that the creative process of art enhances and improves the well-being of children physically, mentally and emotionally. Artistic self-expression assists the children in resolving conflicts and problems, managing behavior, increasing self-awareness and self-esteem, and reducing stress. In this approach, the teacher allows the child to express and deal with his experiences without any adult influences or boundaries.
A philosophical approach to art in the classroom is to create aesthetic awareness in the students. The main purpose of this approach is to help the children to understand art better. The ways different artists express themselves leaves a lot of room for discussion and exploration. The teacher exposes the children to the world and the country's artistic heritage, which helps them evaluate the work of others. Comparing their own work to that of other artists also confirms the authenticity of their own creation. Through art discussions, children become aware of the many ways visual images can express and influence the feelings of people from different cultures.