By Renee Hennessy, Preschool Director

All of our Preschool classrooms are stocked with a variety art materials such as watercolors, Cray-Pas oil pastels, crayons, markers, clay, and tempera paints. Creating self-directed art is a hands-on activity that helps children learn in many ways. By drawing, making collages, and using watercolors to paint, children learn about shape, color, and texture. They are practicing making decisions about what to make and what materials they will use. Those fine motor skills are enhanced by cutting with scissors, holding a crayon, or sculpting with clay. When children observe what their friends are creating, they are learning to appreciate the artwork of others.

New vocabulary words are introduced when children discuss their work with adults. We use phrases like, “Tell me about your picture.” Preschool-aged children often create things that are symbolic of something else; for example, something they have just built in the block center or a flower they just saw outside. The practice of using symbols will become important when they are learning to read. Art can also enhance science concepts when colors are mixed or seeing how adding paint to water can create changes.

Creating art in any form helps children develop their imaginations and practice many skills for learning. Our goal is to give children the confidence to express themselves through art and to feel a part of a creative community of learners whenever they create something new.

Preschool Doughnut Day
You are invited to join your child for doughnuts on Friday, February 8th. We will be serving doughnuts and coffee immediately following carpool at 9:00 a.m. For those parents new to the School, this event usually only lasts 30-45 minutes. If a parent can’t make it, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or a family friend is invited to drop in. We hope to see you there!