A Study on the Effect of Conversation-oriented Appreciation Method and Visualization Expression-oriented Art Education Program on the Formation of Positive Relationships among Middle School Students

The purpose of this study is to examine how an art education program focused on dialogue-based appreciation and human relationship visualization affects middle school students' positive relationships. The program was conducted with 51 first-year students at A Girls' Middle School in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, over six sessions. Pre- and post-surveys on human relationships and self-identity were analyzed using paired t-tests. The texts from students' visualized relationship activities were also reviewed. Results show the program significantly improved positive relationships and self-identity. Dialogue-based appreciation enhanced communication and self-expression, while visualization helped students adopt more open attitudes toward relationships. As post-pandemic adolescents face new relationship challenges, this study suggests art education can foster self-understanding, supporting positive relationship formation as emphasized in the 2022 curriculum.