EARLY CHILDHOOD & FAMILY
Let them play. Let them explore. Support them in having their own wonderful ideas.
How? Materials, time, and your undivided attention.
In my work with young children, I define three broad movements that help me engage with each child: offer; listen and consider; respond.
I use these three broad movements of engagement in all instances - whether teaching in a school art studio, providing art experiences for families in a community setting, or working individually with children of all ages.
The materials I offer set the stage for the exploration - the children take them as they will. Materials are at the core of what I do, and lead each session we engage in. Over the years I have offered many different materials - from graffiti in the classroom to community projects using glass. Some materials have been my own suggestion to the children - such as paint, clay, glue, or paper pulp - others I offer in direct response to the interests and requests of my students, for example3D printing and glasswork.
I see artistic experiences as social practices, based on exploration and discovery. Yes, we do end up with beautiful products - paintings, collages, prints, sculptures, and many arresting artworks. But these products exist as a byproduct of the exploration itself, a physical reminder of moments of wonder.
Besides individual sessions for either children or adults, I offer sessions designed for children and caregivers / families - in schools, institutionally, and privately. At the Rita Gold Center at Columbia University Teachers College I coordinate the art program for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and help my young students exploring ideas and materials such as paint, glass, clay, 3D designing and printing, paper-making, watercolors, wood-shop, photography, and many others.
