“The wider the range of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences. We must widen the range of topics and goals, the types of situations we offer and their degree of structure, the kinds and combinations of resources and materials, and the possible interactions with things, peers, and adults.”

Loris Malaguzzi (1920–1994), Italian early education specialist. Quoted in The Hundred Languages of Children, ch. 3, by Carolyn Edwards (1993).

“If nature has commanded that of all the animals, infancy shall last longest in human beings—it is because nature knows how many rivers there are to cross and paths to retrace. Nature provides time for mistakes to be corrected (by both children and adults), for prejudices to overcome, and for children to catch their breath and restore their image of themselves, peers, parents, teachers, and the world.”

Loris Malaguzzi (1920–1994), Italian early childhood education specialist. Quoted in The Hundred Languages of Children, ch. 3, by Carolyn Edwards (1993).

INSPIRATION: The One Hundred Languages of Children.

Jordi Ferreiro designs and leads workshops for kids to make art in and about space. He sets them free with rolls of colored tape, the same he uses in his own work. About his workshop at the Centre d’art La Panera in Lleida, near Barcelona, Jordi says:

“The kids was freaking out because they never have ABSOLUTLEY FREEDOM for drawing in the space, without paper and with the 3D possibility. They starting making really small rubbertape drawing, and later was have been constructing houses, spiderwebs… really really cool!”

He’s just as excited about his next workshop “A Floating Exhibition” where “the parents and kids must work in [with] balloons and when they are finished, we leave it away in the sky, like a museum in the sky…”

More photos from the workshops here “Working with Kids”

via storkbitesman and swissmiss

Oversized Pebbles!

via swissmiss

Kids with Cameras “is a non-profit organization that teaches the art of photography to marginalized children in communities around the world. We use photography to capture the imaginations of children, to empower them, building confidence, self-esteem and hope. We share their vision and voices with the world through exhibitions, books, websites and film. By linking with local organizations, we work to strengthen the children’s education and general well-being, providing financial support through sales of their prints or by developing our own homes with a focus on leadership and the arts.”

World Changing dot com.

Setting up a studio or art space in your home, no matter what the size, is one of the best ways you can support your child’s learning and image making. It is much easier for young children to develop skills in a familiar situation and a studio space enables children to extend and share ideas in imaginative yet skillful ways.

In need of inspiration? Take a peek at this series of blog posts at Camp Creek Press about their home studio as well as their previous classroom studio.

In her book “Rapunzel’s Supermarket”, All about young children and their art”, artist and educator Ursula Kolbe offers these helpful hints in creating studio spaces for children both at home and in the classroom:

- Choose a sheltered and well-lit area away from general traffic in a room. The ‘look and feel’ of a studio space influences children. Let you imagination and creativity come into play when designing a space – think of creating one where you would like to be too.

- If it is not possible to leave materials permanently in one spot, try to set up experiences regularly in the same place. Certainty and predictability are important for young children.

- Adequate table spaces for each child is essential. Provide chairs as children can work for longer periods when sitting.

- Offer basic materials of the best quality you can afford. Make sure materials give satisfying visual feedback and that tools are in good working order. Arrange attractive containers of materials and place them invitingly on shelves accessible to children. For children at home, have materials available in stackable baskets, boxes, plastic containers or purpose-made tool boxes.

- Choice of materials is important, but too much choice can at first be overwhelming. Creativity often thrives on constraints. A limited range need not be a drawback as long as children can use the materials in open-ended ways.

- Display found treasures and have on hand magnifying glasses and resource material like picture books and an encyclopedia. Add pictures and photographs to spark imagination – or induce moments of reverie.

- Adult supervision is essential whenever young children use materials and tools. Arrange furniture and equipment with safety in mind. Read the labels to ensure materials are non-toxic, and check that items cannot be swallowed and have no sharp edges.

Photo:Camp Creek Press