By: Hillary Cook-Harris
Welcome to Fairview Early Childhood Center where we will be discussing Artsy Thursday for the Week of the Young Child. Principal Darcy Dunn explains, “Fairview integrates art in our daily routine. Children always have access to a myriad of art materials to explore during work time. Our students are very creative! We have many opportunities for them to express themselves.”
When you enter the halls of this early childhood center you are surrounded by amazing murals that have been created to not only provide a welcoming environment, but also support children's learning. Murals throughout the school have been created by staff, students, parents, local artists and a bus driver. Students have provided suggestions about what they would like to see and their interests have been incorporated into existing murals as well as future murals that are being planned.
Understanding the importance of art in early childhood, the staff provides many activities to support the exploration and creation of child-initiated art. Students have painted with ice and snow, created nests and sculptures with 3D materials, used shapes to create pictures, and studied famous artists and their work to foster their own creations. The artistic experiences do not just involve traditional materials, but are also encouraged with building materials as children create sculptures and buildings with a variety of blocks. Students use their knowledge of letter sounds to sound out the words of what they have created to add to their drawings.
Staff in the building use art materials to support the learning environment by creating visually appealing areas that encourage children to be creative and make artistic creations that are meaningful to them. These little artists have the freedom to create art throughout the day and build upon their interests. Click here to see some examples of art at Fairview.
Interested in learning more about the RPS205 Early Childhood opportunities for families with children Birth-age 5? Visit https://www.rps205.com/o/rps/page/early-childhood or call the Early Childhood Screening and Placement Office at 815-229-2103.