Little Hands, Wild Flowers: Preschool Art Exhibit

Last spring, St. Mark's preschool children noticed changes in nature and explored flowers in our outdoor classrooms. Seeing the children's joy in their flower play, the teachers were inspired to have them create representations of flowers through a variety of are mediums. These collaborative pieces were created by small groups of 3 or 4 children as well as entire classes. At St. Mark's Preschool, every child is an artist. The exhibit is on display at St. Mark's.

St. Mark's Preschool has been part of the St. Mark's community for the past 15 years. The Preschool is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to Early Childhood Education. Reggio Emilia is a town in Italy whose early childhood education is dirven by a coopeartive, child-drive curriculum. Founded by teacher Louis Malaguzzi in the 1960's, the Reggio Emilia education philosophy is a pioneering approach to early childhood education emphasizing the interests of children and valuing the child as thoughtful, resourceful, and resilient; full of wonder and capable of deep understanding. The Reggio approach respects children's thoughts and ideas and allows them, through self-directed activities, to use their natural curiosity on the path to discovery.

The teachers set up provocations—intentional, open-ended explorations of specific materials—which feed into the wonders of the children, promoting deeper thinking and prompting further questions. Often, the exploration evolves into a study, a long-term discovery of a certain idea or topic.Throughout the study, teachers observe the children’s interests, plan provocations, engage in thought provoking conversations and activities, document children’s thoughts and wonders, and display them on document panels for families to see.

Documentation of children’s work in progress is viewed as an important tool in the learning process for children, teachers, and parents. Pictures of children engaged in experiences; their words as they discuss what they are doing, feeling, and thinking; and the children’s interpretation of experience through the visual media are displayed as a graphic representation of the dynamics oflearning.