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I n honor of  Women’s History Month , we invited the children to create like artist  Ruth Asawa , a Japanese American sculptor whose work celebrated curiosity, nature, and the joy of making things by hand. Asawa was known for her intricate sculptures made from galvanized wire, stone, and bronze. Her organic, nest-like forms were inspired by traditional Mexican basket-weaving techniques she observed during a trip to Mexico. Her work shows how simple materials can be transformed into beautiful, flowing shapes through patience, experimentation, and imagination. Creating was always an important part of Ruth’s life. As a child she loved drawing and making things with her hands, and that passion stayed with her throughout adulthood. She believed strongly that children should have access to creative experiences from an early age. In fact, she co-founded the Alvarado School Arts Workshop, a program that brought parents and professional artists into public schools so children could regularly engage with the arts and explore their creativity. Ruth Asawa once said:“A child can learn something about color, about design, and about observing objects in nature. If you do that, you grow into a greater awareness of things around you. Art will make people better, more highly skilled in thinking and improving whatever business one goes into, or whatever occupation. It makes a person broader.” To create this invitation, we began by reading  A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa , written and illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino & A Line Can Go Anywhere: The Brilliant, Resilient Life of Artist Ruth Asawa Hardcover – Picture Book, February 25, 2025 by Caroline McAlister (Author), Jamie Green (Illustrator). After learning about her life and looking closely at images of her sculptures, the children were invited to create their own interpretations. We printed photos of her artwork to display for inspiration, cut shapes similar to her forms from recycled cardboard, and provided wire for the children to wrap and weave around their structures. Through this experience, children were able to explore sculpture in a hands-on and meaningful way. Working with materials like wire and pipe cleaners strengthens fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving as children figure out how to bend, twist, and shape their materials. It also encourages persistence, creativity, and flexible thinking as they experiment with different ways to build and design their sculptures. When preschoolers explore the work of artists like Ruth Asawa and are given open-ended materials, they begin to see themselves as artists too—learning that there is no single “right way” to create and that their ideas and imagination can take shape in many unique ways.

Seven Magic Mountains is a colorful outdoor art installation created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Located in the desert just outside Las Vegas, the artwork features seven tall towers made from large stacked boulders painted in bright neon colors. Rondinone created the installation in 2016 to bring a burst of color and creativity to the desert landscape and to explore the connection between nature and human imagination. The vibrant rocks stand out against the natural desert scenery, making the piece both playful and magical. We invited the children to paint recycled styrofoam packaging that we broke down into boulder-like shapes. We provided fluorescent paint and brushes and invited them to paint freely all over the pieces, experimenting with bright colors and bold brushstrokes. After drying, they pushed the boulders through a kabob stick to stack them and make seven towers.  Introducing children to different types of art and artists helps expand their creativity and curiosity about the world around them. Projects inspired by works like  Seven Magic Mountains  encourage children to explore color, texture, and form while strengthening fine motor skills through painting and handling materials. It also helps children see that art can exist everywhere, not just on paper, but in nature, large spaces, and unexpected places. Learning about artists like Ugo Rondinone allows children to connect their own creations to the wider world of art, helping them understand that their ideas, imagination, and self-expression are valuable and worth sharing.

Black History Month offers a meaningful opportunity to introduce children to conversations about race, civil rights, culture, artists, musicians, authors, food, & influential public figures, while celebrating the powerful impact of #Blackhistory on our world. When children are exposed to these stories & achievements early on, they begin to develop understanding, empathy, & respect for diversity in ways that shape their learning, attitudes, & sense of belonging. @kehindewiley is an internationally recognized artist best known for his striking portraits of Black individuals placed within richly detailed, traditional European-style compositions & vibrant, floral backgrounds. His work challenges historical representations in art while celebrating identity, presence, & beauty. After learning about the artist & exploring examples of his artwork together, the children were invited to create their own inspired portraits using loose parts. For this provocation, a @discountschoolsupply tuff tray with Excellerations® Explorer Tuff Tray Grass Playmat as a base, along with felt , gem , & acrylic flowers, aquarium plants , and a variety of peg dolls , wooden figures , + doll house people was provided. Children used these materials to design three-dimensional portrait scenes inspired by Wiley’s bold & expressive style. This open-ended experience encouraged children to creatively arrange figures & decorative elements, experiment with composition, & explore how backgrounds + details can tell a story about the subject of a portrait. As they created, children strengthened spatial awareness, fine motor skills, visual planning, & creative problem-solving, while also engaging in meaningful conversations about people, identity, & representation. Art experiences like this are about much more than making something beautiful. Exposing children to influential artists from diverse backgrounds helps them see art as a powerful form of storytelling & cultural expression. Art connects us to history, to different communities, to the world around us, & to ourselves. Other ways to explore Kehinde Wiley: Kehinde Wiley Collaborative Canvas Collage, Frame Kehinde Wiley Art with Loose Parts , Kehinde Wiley Loose Parts Play

We explored the vibrant and dynamic work of  Reginald Laurent , a master colorist and one of the premier abstract artists in the United States. A self-taught, award-winning Chicago native, Laurent has been featured in numerous exhibits for his signature abstract style, filled with bright colors and detailed designs that seem to move and dance before your eyes. As he says,  “My art imitates life because it is representative of the diversity and inclusion of every culture, the backbone of what makes the world such an interesting place.”  His purposeful and engaging work makes him an inspiring artist to learn about during  #BlackHistoryMonth . To honor his style, we printed images of his artwork to inspire the children to create their own collages. Using black construction paper as a base, pre-cut shapes reminiscent of Laurent’s designs, glue, and tempera paint sticks, children freely explored and created. Through this process, children strengthened fine-motor skills, sparked creativity, and practiced self-expression and problem-solving. They glued their shapes, then used tempera sticks to doodle designs and add their personal touches, building confidence while discovering the joy of creating art, just like  #ReginaldLaurent .

We invited our children to create vibrant 3-D art inspired by  Alma Woodsey Thomas —an American artist and educator known for her joyful, colorful paintings influenced by pointillism and abstract expressionism. At age 80, she became the first African-American woman to have a solo exhibition at the  Whitney Museum of American Art . After reading  A Blaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas  and  Alma's Art , and exploring printed images of her artwork, we set out a large 3-D canvas to honor her legacy for  #BlackHistoryMonth  and inspire children to create boldly—just like Alma. Using recycled boxes wrapped in butcher paper , children were invited to freely design all over the structure with stickers ( large rectangle , small rectangle , square ) inspired by the shapes and colors found in Alma’s art. The beauty of collaborative collage is that it builds community, fosters cooperation, eliminates competition, and is wonderfully social. When children engage in  #ProcessArt  like this, they are free to explore, take creative ownership, and discover art in their own way. Through this experience, children build confidence, strengthen cognitive and fine-motor skills, practice planning and problem-solving, and learn that there are many beautiful ways to create together. Here are other ways to explore Alma Woodsey Thomas: Invitation to Create Alma Woodsey Thomas on the Light Table Three Ways to Explore Alma Woodsey Thomas Alma Woodsey Thomas Art 3 Ways Alma Woodsey Thomas Textured Water Color Art Alma Woodsey Thomas Loose Parts Play

During Black History Month, learning about Katherine Johnson, an extraordinary mathematician whose love of numbers helped change history & send astronauts safely into space at NASA during a time when both women & Black Americans faced unfair barriers in science & education; her courage, determination, & brilliant thinking remind children that they can dream big & make a difference, & the book Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 brings her inspiring journey to life by sharing how she grew up, followed her passion for math, became a teacher, & later used her incredible skills to support historic space missions. After reading the story to better understand her life, her impact, & why her story still matters today. This developmentally appropriate & engaging invitation was way a for children to explore numbers & one-to-one correspondence using loose parts. Sensory numbers & gems were placed out on the light table   the children to explore, sort, & count as they played. In the early years, children learn best when they can touch, move, & explore. Hands-on experiences help children make stronger connections between what they see and do, so they are building real understanding, not just memorizing numbers. This kind of playful learning helps make math feel familiar, comfortable, & enjoyable. As children develop number sense, they move through two key stages of counting: rote counting & one-to-one correspondence. Rote counting is reciting numbers in order, while one-to-one correspondence is matching one number to one object. This second stage is important because it helps children understand that numbers represent real amounts. Open-ended, hands-on activities support this learning by helping children connect number symbols, spoken numbers, & real objects. As children count & place items, they build accuracy, focus, & confidence, & begin to see math as something they can explore & understand.

Can you think of a more thrilling duo than dinosaurs and glow-in-the-dark magic? Gloplay sent us their stick-and-peel dinosaur stickers , designed to be applied, removed, and re-applied for endless adventures. Whether on walls, bathtubs, or tuff trays, these versatile stickers open up limitless opportunities for imaginative play. For this small world play setup, a mini dinosaur landscape was recreated, with stickers thoughtfully arranged to enhance the sensory experience. "Volcano" cones , a wide assortment of dinosaur figurines, glow-in-the-dark pebbles , aquarium rocks , and homemade glow-in-the-dark slime were adde creating a truly next-level tactile adventure. To take it to the next level, black lights were used, bringing every sticker, pebble, and slime swirl to life in a mesmerizing glow. The result? A space where children’s exploration deepened naturally. The interplay of shapes, patterns, shadows, light, and color captivated their attention, inviting longer, more meaningful play. Through carefully curated materials like these, we honor children’s interests while nurturing their imagination, encouraging problem-solving, wonder, and limitless creative thinking. Glow-in-the-dark dinosaur adventures are more than just fun—they’re a gateway to curiosity, learning, and endless discovery. Glow Slime Recipe (from the Bay Area Discovery Museum) Ingredients: 1 cup white glue 8–10 second squirt of shaving cream (for fluffiness) 2 tablespoons glow paint or pigment powder 1/8 cup liquid starch Instructions: In a bowl, combine the white glue and shaving cream. Mix thoroughly until fluffy. Add the glow paint and stir until fully blended. Slowly add the liquid starch, folding and mixing as you go. The slime may be sticky at first—knead it with your hands until it reaches the right consistency. If the slime is still too sticky, add a little more liquid starch until it’s perfect! Tip: Store in an airtight container to keep your glow slime soft and stretchy.

During  Lunar New Year , lanterns provide illumination, are believed to bring good luck, and symbolize wishes for a bright future. Celebrated across many Asian countries, this special time is filled with traditions, joyful gatherings, festive customs, and delicious feasts, welcoming the arrival of spring and a fresh new year. To begin our exploration, we read  Amy Wu and the Lantern Festival  and  Playing with Lanterns . After learning about the meaning of lanterns and observing real images of lanterns from around the world, we invited the children to create their own lanterns using a gravity drip painting process for our upcoming annual Lunar New Year Parade. White lanterns became the children’s canvases, along with @colorations.artoflearning Liquid Watercolors and tempera paint from @discountschoolsupply, pipettes , and paintbrushes . Painting on a three-dimensional surface offered a rich and meaningful challenge. As the children carefully moved and turned their lanterns, they explored gravity by watching the colors drip and flow downward, while strengthening their fine-motor skills using droppers and brushes. This experience encouraged problem-solving, creativity, and thoughtful experimentation. Each time we offer open-ended art experiences, we are reminded how engaging and powerful  process art  truly is. Art allows children to become fully immersed in the joy of creating—exploring, discovering, and expressing themselves in their own unique way.

After reading books about the significance of the dragon during Lunar New Year, exploring photographs, and learning about the costumes and puppets used in parades, we extended the literacy experience by inviting the children to create collaborative dragons in two different ways. These creations will be featured in our upcoming Annual Lunar New Year Parade. 1. Symmetry Dragons:  To create their dragons, the children folded their paper in half, squeezed paint drops and designs onto one side, folded the paper again, and gently rubbed the paint with their hands before slowly opening it. As they revealed their designs, they watched the paint transform—supporting their understanding of cause and effect through hands-on exploration. Once the paintings dried, we combined everyone’s artwork to form one large collaborative dragon. 2. Recycled 3-D Lunar New Year Dragon:  The children were invited to decorate a 3-D dragon made from recycled packaging materials. Using paint, stickers, glitter, and plenty of glue, they worked together to transform the recycled structure into a magical collaborative creation. While books help introduce children to different cultures, hands-on experiencea, such as creating art, have an even deeper impact on how children understand the world. Exploring cultural traditions helps children appreciate similarities and differences, learn about their own identities, and build early connections to history, geography, and family traditions. These experiences also strengthen their sense of belonging and curiosity about the world around them. Lunar New Year, celebrated across many Asian countries, is a joyful time filled with traditions, family gatherings, and special foods that welcome the arrival of spring and the start of a new year. The dragon is one of the celebration’s most important and recognizable symbols, representing strength, wisdom, and good fortune. It is believed to bring protection and positive energy to the community as the new year begins.

Drew a Heart  by @gilliansze (author) and @naokostoop (illustrator) is the perfect story to share during both Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. This lyrical and heartfelt book celebrates creativity, love, and a beautifully diverse, multigenerational family as a young boy spends the day drawing hearts inspired by his favorite people, moments, and memories. After reading the story together, we invited the children to create their own magical rubbing-alcohol watercolor hearts. This engaging  science-meets-art  (STEAM) experience is both a creative experiment and a process-art exploration, blending curiosity, observation, and artistic expression. To set up this invitation, the children were provided with paper heart cut-outs, Colorations liquid watercolors and paintbrushes, along with small cups of rubbing alcohol and pipettes. First, the children painted their hearts with vibrant liquid watercolors. Before the paint had time to dry, they carefully used the pipettes to drop rubbing alcohol onto the wet surface. As the rubbing alcohol touched the paint, the children watched as the liquid repelled the water—causing the pigments to scatter, separate, and bloom into beautiful starburst patterns. The unpredictable movement of the colors created a truly magical effect, sparking excitement, wonder, and lots of thoughtful observations about what was happening on their paper. This activity supported children in developing fine-motor control through painting and squeezing the pipettes, encouraged scientific thinking as they observed cause-and-effect in real time, and nurtured creativity and confidence by allowing them to explore color, pattern, and experimentation in an open-ended way.

When children are given the opportunity to freely explore light and reflection, they instantly become intrigued by the many possibilities within the materials. From infancy through early childhood, playing with light and reflection invites children to form theories, experiment, and deepen their understanding of the world, while supporting many areas of development. They are often fascinated and deeply engaged by the interplay of shapes, patterns, shadows, spacing, imagery, light, size, and color. With Valentine’s Day approaching, this invitation used various materials to spark children’s curiosity and creativity regarding their current interests. On the table, we placed a canvas drop cloth, a large circular mirror and a smaller spinning mirror , our favorite cones in pink, purple, and red, iridescent cups , hexagon risers , cloud shapes , linking discs, clear and colored acrylic heart gems , potion bottles , and LED color-changing tea lights. Light and reflection are all around us, and from birth, children pay close attention to them because of their ever-changing, magical nature. Whether children are looking into a mirror, exploring light, or building with open-ended materials, they are naturally drawn to how light and reflection transform their play. Through these invitations, we not only honor children’s interests, but also nurture their imagination by intentionally selecting materials that inspire wonder, problem-solving, and limitless creative thinking. May there always be magic, light, and love in their days.

The beauty of process art is that anything can become a painting tool,even a slinky! To get into the spirit of all things love, we invited the children to explore painting with heart-shaped slinkys, tempera paint, and construction paper. The children dipped their slinkys into paint and joyfully pressed, dragged, bounced, and rolled them across the paper, creating playful heart prints and unexpected patterns. Beyond the excitement of using an “out-of-the-norm” tool, introducing a new material encourages children to slow down, observe, and experiment. As they explored, their creativity truly shone. Testing different movements, angles, and pressures to see how the slinky would respond on the paper. They quickly noticed how the slinky stretches, collapses, twists, and springs back, and how each motion creates a completely different mark. This experience also offered rich opportunities for learning through the body. Children explored concepts such as high and low, fast and slow, push and pull, while strengthening both fine and gross motor skills as they controlled the slinky with their hands and arms. Coordinating their movements to guide the bouncy, flexible tool required focus, problem-solving, and persistence. Most importantly, Slinky Heart Art invited children to take creative risks, make discoveries, and express themselves freely, without a “right” or “wrong” outcome. Through this joyful process, children built confidence in their ideas, deepened their curiosity, and experienced the magic of turning simple materials into meaningful art.