LITTLE CURRENT—Early Learning Kindergarten students at Little Current Public School are participating in a six-week pilot project that brings artists into the classroom.
The early years project was launched in late April in collaboration with 4elements Living Arts, a non-profit organization based on Manitoulin Island that has a focus on programs that integrate the arts with the environment.
Artists from the community are working with Early Learning Kindergarten teams to embrace the Reggio Emilia approach in their classrooms, giving four and five-year-olds the opportunity to explore their curiosity through the arts.
“The approach values inquiry-driven learning, prioritizes arts over crafts, and uses the arts as a medium to learn about a range of theories and subjects,” says Iva McNair, early learning administrator with Rainbow District School Board.
Through this project, children are using their imagination to express their thoughts and test their theories by playing with a variety of tools, such as graphite pencils, sticks, fibre, different types of paper and other materials.
[pullquote]“Not knowing the outcome is a key tenet of this project,” says Sophie Edwards, director of 4elements Living Arts. “Typically, art programs have a specific target, with well-designed projects to which all students apply themselves. This project is unique because each student’s experience and engagement is different.”[/pullquote]
“Students are free to focus on any subject, theme or material,” she adds. “The artists provide materials and techniques to support students’ interests and build on their inquiries whether related to natural science, design, or kinetic or other wonderings.”
The Early Learning Kindergarten teams are documenting the project as it progresses and will reflect on the results to consider next steps. In the fall, the project will be expanded thanks to funding from the Ontario Arts Council Artist in Residence program.
