This  wonderful Art Easel  #gifted from Discount School Supply allows children to be creative while developing so many important skills in any outdoor space. To set this invitation to pain t we placed Colorations®  BioColor® Fluorescent Paint  in  Silicone Mixing Cups  and provided Stubby Chubby Brushes ,  Cool Designs Foam Rollers ,  and Playful Painting Tool Assortment. Easel painting whether it is indoors or outdoors, is as important and essential as building, reading books, dramatic play, science, sensory, playing or any other aspect of the foundation's early childhood development. They provide endless rich opportunities to develop so many skills during the most formative years.   Painting or writing on vertical surfaces, such as an easel will help a child develop the tools they will need later on when learning how to write or draw. When a child paints on a vertical surface, they are naturally encouraged to hold the brush in a more efficient & ergonomically appropriate manner. Standing at an easel is great for upper arm & shoulder strength, which in turn provides the wrist with more stable support. By practicing these movements, children will develop a dynamic tripod grip, which is considered to be the most efficient grip for writing. This grip allows for precise finger movements, which will provide the child with more control & less fatigue/frustration during writing/drawing when they are ready to do so.  Painting on an easel has a fluidity that is different from other art media. The v ertical surfaces help children develop the appropriate amount of writing pressure. When painting on a vertical surface, children must apply more pressure than they would on a horizontal surface, which helps them better calibrate their grip strength & the pressure they need to apply when writing on paper. Overall, vertical surfaces like this easel provide a natural setting for children to improve their pencil grip, which will contribute significantly to their handwriting skills. Shoulder stability is crucial in their gross motor development as it provides a solid base for the coordinated movements of the arm, forearm, & hand. When it comes to writing or any activity requiring fine motor skills, shoulder stability plays an essential role .  When a child paints on an easel, their arm works against gravity. This naturally strengthens the muscles around the shoulder, promoting stability. Over time, these repeated gross motor movements & exposure, can contribute to enhanced shoulder stability which again will contribute to developing their handwriting skills.  Integrating an easel regularly into a child’s play, art, & environment overall will provide an endless FUN & effective way to enhance overall motor development, all while letting children experiment and be creative through the arts.

Using  natural materials as canvas for art is a magical way to create art with children. We invited the children to paint on this branch with no specific set of directions except for to have fun! We provided tempera paint and brushes and let them collaboratively paint together.  Art is not only about individual expression but can also be a beautiful journey of collaboration and teamwork. Collaborative art invitations bring children together to create something extraordinary by combining their unique ideas and talents. These experiences offer numerous benefits that extend beyond the artistic realm. Collaborative art  in early childhood provides powerful learning opportunities and a multitude of benefits. It enables children to develop aesthetic awareness, artistic skills, and critical, abstract, imaginative, collaborative, and creative thinking  while promoting  teamwork, cooperation, and respect for diverse ideas.  This beautiful branch is now a symbol of nurtured  creativity, encouraged innovation, and the power of their imagination together.

Dale Chihuly is an American Artist that pioneered never-before-seen glass blowing techniques. Over the years, he has developed innovative techniques to achieve his unique artistic vision. He is keen to experiment and unafraid of failure, which makes his art deliver uniquely immersive experiences by uniting color, light, form, and space that is inspired by architecture and gardens. We have been collecting recycled water bottles and plastic dishes/cups/bowls/tops, in different sizes to create our own Chihuly inspired art. After collecting a good amount, we placed them in the oven on broil for 30seconds-1 minute to change the form into gardenesque shapes/sculptures  like Chihuly's bowls. We explained to the children that the heat causes the molecules in the plastic to move and then fall apart. At the correct heat, the plastic softens and loses its stiffness, becoming malleable like the glass art Chihuly creates. Once we looked at images of his art work, we provided Colorations tempera paint and brushes, and invited the children to paint.  Through this STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activity, the children are not only using creative and critical thinking skills they are also being  exposed to famous artists and the different types of art. The more a child is exposed to the arts, the more techniques they are aware of, the more they can problem solve to think critically, the more they can creatively express themselves, the more accepting they are, and the more beauty they can see in the world around them just like Chihuly.

Throughout the year the Pre-K classes have been creating art for our annual Art Walk Auction. They have explored so many techniques, mediums, processes, textures, & more! This is such a magical and creative event we hold dearly to our program and where we are able to showcase the importance of art in early childhood and throughout their educational journey. The children created collaborative pieces in many forms that are inspired by many of the famous artists we explore, books we read, & wonders of the world. Each child from every age group in our centers made their own individual canvases along with trinkets, vases, treasure boxes, and more. All of the supplies we used were pretty much from Discount School Supply, recyclable materials, and thrifted items that were repurposed! The proceeds from purchasing the art will benefit the Pre-K Class Legacy Gift that will continue our long tradition of enhancing our centers by getting something that will continue to uphold play, curiosity, and wonder for future generations in our programs. Last year we were able to enhance our library space "In the Library I Had Wings." Here is last year and the year before blog posts for this event!

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) invitations are a great way to expose a child to both process art and science all together. Scientists, mathematicians, engineers and artists all use the same critical thinking skills to find new and innovative solutions. Through the process of experimenting and exploring with STEAM the child is using creative and critical thinking skills.  To set this invitation we first wrapped recycled boxes with butcher paper. Then we placed Colorations Liquid Water Colors from Discount School Supply in paint cups. We provided Learning Resources Jumbo Droppers  and regular pipettes  as the painting tool. Before inviting the children to paint we had a discussion of what gravity is. We explained that gravity keeps people and objects on the ground and causes the objects to fall toward the earth. Next, we explained that when they experiment with the droppers/pipettes and paint as they create, the Earth's gravitational pull will create amazing colors as it drips. STEAM invitations provide for limitless learning, benefits, and creativity. They became innovative as it encourages the children to think outside the box while instilling wonder and curiosity throughout the whole process. The more opportunities and exposure to STEAM invitations such as this instills innovation within them, which provides for a stronger cognitive foundation that will support them to adulthood in all aspects of their life.

Louise Nevelson Recycled Cardboard Structure// Louise Nevelson, a leading female sculptor of the 20th century. She experimented with early conceptual art using found objects, and experimented with painting and printing before dedicating her lifework to sculpture. Usually created out of wood, her sculptures appear puzzle-like, with multiple intricately cut pieces placed into wall sculptures or independently standing pieces, often 3-D. The sculptures are typically painted in monochromatic colour in order to unify the work. "When you put things together, things that other people have thrown out, you're really brining them to life-a spirtual life that surpasses the life for which they were originally created." Louise Nevelson Today we invited the children to paint monochromatic sculptures that we created all from recycled materials. We set out images of her art work, and let the children look at her creations. Next we let the children paint the recycled sculptures with white, black, and gold paint just like Lousie.  Cardboard and recycled packaging materials are so versatile that they provide a great surface to paint on. Since it comes in so many different sizes, textures, & shapes it allows the children to explore art in a different medium, use their imagination to think of a range of ways to paint materials, & promotes collaboration as the children can work together to paint & talk about what they are creating.

Did you know play is critical to a child's emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development during the most formative years (0-5) when most of their brain development occurs? Research has found the executive function of the brain develops through dramatic/pretend play and this significantly aids in so much of their success in learning later on in their journey.   Play, however it may be, should be the primary focus of a child's day and since dramatic/pretend play is such a beneficial and crucial part of early childhood development, spaces that truly honor play with the needs of and development of children can only lead to imaginations soaring and limitless possibilities.  One of our classrooms got a Dramatic Play Space enhancement with the #gifted  Jonti-Craft® 4 Piece Birch Kitchen Set  from Discount School Supply The 4-piece sets include range, sink, cupboard and refrigerator and have a lifetime warranty!  In this space the children will become whoever they want to be, create freely, explore curiosity, imagine wildly, mirror preciously, collaborate creatively, and DO whatever ignites their play. After all, "Play is the work of children," Jean Piaget.

As we continue to create for our Annual Art Auction, we read the book Pink is for Everybody. This inclusive book celebrates all things pink while emphasizing the importance of creativity, respect, acceptance and empowers children to embrace anything, to enjoy everything, to love what you love, and to be who you are. Once we read the story we invited the children to paint with so many shades of pink! In a tray we mixed Colorations tempera paint, bicolor, and water with pink, white, red, purple, magenta, to create an array of pink shades for the children to create with. We invited the children to paint the poster pink with a pendulum! Through this type of process art, the children subliminally explore the concept of physics by learning about the forces of motion and gravity by engaging the children with a combination of art & science (STEAM). A pendulum is a fixed object hung from a point so it can swing freely back and forth due to the force of gravity. When objects move back and forth it is demonstrating the physics of a pendulum. Process art experiences such as these not only support their intrinsic form of creativity, it validates their ideas, interests, and work. From all developmental aspects of a child, when we let children learn to make their own decisions, solve their own problems, create so freely they feel empowered + confident, and ultimately honor their creative process by truly letting themselves enjoy everything and anything, love what they love, and be who they are while they create.

Our Annual Pre-K Science Fair just wrapped up last week and there were so many innovative projects!  Children are all natural born scientists in their own unique ways. From birth, they are curious beings that are constantly observing, exploring, and questioning almost everything and anything taking place in their environments. The importance of incorporating science within early childhood is that children are capable of anything and have an insatiable need to understand everything. Science is EVERYWHERE and a natural way for children to engage and explore phenomena in their environment. Whether it is looking for bugs under rocks, mixing colors when they paint, pouring water, observing leaves changing through the seasons, children are naturally curious about what is happening around them all the time.  We asked the families in our program to share the joy of discovery through creating a science project together with their child and present it at our Annual Pre-K Science Fair.  Each child chose one experiment to share with their classmates, teachers, and other families on the day of our Science Fair. Projects were on a Tri-Fold Project Board or Poster Board with simple information about the Scientific Method. The day of presentation methods were either to: 1. Take pictures or draw the child conducting the activity at home together and place them on the project board with the Scientific Method information or 2. Conduct the project at the Science Fair on the day of and bring the project board with Scientific Method information. The Science Fair honors our little scientists while providing a meaningful learning experience. It encourages them to develop critical thinking skills and stimulates the child’s interest in scientific subjects. Together, we all play an important role in the success of a child's learning journey, and this quality time spent together will not only honor their young inquisitive minds, it will guide them to be life-long lovers of science throughout the rest of their education.

My oldest son's Pre-K Science Fair was today! We are so excited to share what we have been learning about. His project was inspired by a question that he asked on our way to our favorite place, the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Since we have to cross several bridges to get there (Bay Bridge, Golden Gate, Richmond Bridge) he asked "How are bridges built in the water?" That simple question led to so much investigating and a new found fascination with bridges.  First we looked at pictures and videos of bridges around the world. Next we read all the books about bridges and took a look at some of the bridges we have in our train sets. Finally, since we live in the Bay Area we visited some bridges (Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, Park Street Bridge, & High Street)! After doing our research we set out to build a bridge.  We used our Picasso Tile sets we already have and made a total of three designs. The third design worked out best because it had similar design components that we found in our research from books, videos, pictures, and visiting the sites. Once the bridge was complete, we tested it 's strength out by placing cars driving on it, poured water around it in our tuff tray, and had boats pass through it.  1st & 2nd Attempt 3rd Attempt Finally time to add water! From his curiosity of how bridges are built in water, we both learned a lot together.   "There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of man. "– John Locke.

Holi, widely known as the Hindu festival of colors, is a joyful annual celebration at the advent of spring. Typically Holi is observed in March in India, Nepal, other South Asian countries and across the diaspora.  The festival celebrates love and signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation — a time to embrace the positive and let go of negative energy.  For one of Holi’s most well-known traditions, people dress in all white, come out to the street and throw colored powder known as Gulal or Holi powder at each other. The pigments and colors of joy all symbolize different things. Blue represents the color of Lord Krishna’s skin,  green: spring & rebirth,  red: marriage or fertility, & yellow: commonly used in ritual and ceremony & symbolize auspiciousness. After reading so many books about Holi during story time, we invited the children to explore and celebrate by:  1. Gulal Self Portrait Process Art:  First the children drew themselves with a black marker, after that they were invited to dip tights filled with corn kernels into fluorescent paint & create a kaleidoscope of colors on their portraits.  2. Festival of Colors Party: All the children were asked to wear white shirts, we placed holi powder, and invited the children to throw the powder. If they felt uncomfortable doing so we placed baby dolls as well.

Daily routines offer children a sense of consistency plus security, & resting time is one of those daily rituals in most early childhood programs. It is a time in their routine that promotes relaxation, restoration, peace, & comfort. Making it a priority to develop a warm & caring environment during resting time in the early childhood setting is essential since sleeping in our care is monumental act of trust.  Here are some basic Early Childhood Educator tips we typically use at resting time:   1. Listen to Calming Music: Calming music can help a child regain balance & signal the body to decompress.  2. Listen to Nap Time Stories: These slower paced storms bring warmth & calmness.  3. Practice Deep/Belly Breathing: Taking deep breaths slows down the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, & promotes a feeling of being in control.  4. Create a Calming Environment: Dim or turn off the lights.  5. Provide Comforting Materials: Blankets, Lovey, Pillow, etc.  At our centers we have also used the Angeles® SpaceLine® Toddler Cot - Set of 4 Wedgewood Blue for our 12-24mos children & the Standard Cots  for our 3-5 year olds children as a resting time essential.  Here is why:  SPACE-SAVING DESIGN: These nap cots feature an innovative, space-saving design that allows cots to be nesting for maximum storage space. SAFELY ENCLOSED CORNERS: These Angeles cots are constructed with no holes between the fabric & the cot's frame. PEACE OF MIND: Angeles's SpaceLine Cots are GREENGUARD Gold Certified & conform to the EPA's standards for low levels of chemical emissions. EASY TO CLEAN: The durable material of these kids nap cots is bleach-cleanable, making accidents easy to handle.