Enjoy the process!

​​"The basic law of children's creativity is that its value lies not in its results, not in the product of creation, but in the process itself."
- Lev Vygotsky

We love to offer creative activities in which there is emphasis put on the process of creating, not on the end result. Process based learning is a holistic approach where the entire process of learning is taken as a whole, as opposed to teaching to specific individualized targets.

Process art projects are a wonderful example of process based learning experiences. Process art is child-led, choice-driven, open-ended, and celebrates the experience of discovery. The final product of process art will have no right or wrong answers and will be unique and original. 

There are many benefits of process art for children. Through process art, children are able to...
​

• express themselves creatively and imaginatively.
• gain confidence in themselves and their own ideas.
• learn about the possibilities and limitations of various materials.
• use problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 
• ask questions, discuss, and experiment.
• embrace experimentation and mistakes as part of the learning process.
• (and, of course) advance their fine and gross motor skills.

Here are some tips for leading processed-focused art at home from the National Association for the Education of Young Children:

1. Approach art like open-ended play — for example, provide a variety of materials and see what happens as the child leads the art experience
2. Make art a joyful experience. Let children use more paint, more colors, and make more and more artwork
3. Provide plenty of time for children to carry out their plans and explorations
4. Let children come and go from their art at will
5. Notice and comment on what you see: Look at all the yellow dots you painted
6. Say YES to children’s ideas
7. Offer new and interesting materials
8. Play music in the background
9. Take art materials outside in the natural light
10. Display children’s books with artful illustrations, such as those by Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, and Javaka Steptoe
11. Let the children choose whether their art goes home or stays in the classroom
12. Remember that it’s the children’s art, not yours

Check out some of the super fun and creative projects we did this month:

Painting Prints

Architectural Explorations

​Clay Creations

​Diffusion Art

​Nature Painting

​​Process based learning weaves beautifully into the Layered Curriculum Approach in other subject areas too!

​Story Cubes

Storyteller's Walk

Nature Journals

​Literacy Puzzles

​Hola Yoga!

Bright Stars
Estrellas Brillantes

Falling Stars
​Estrellas Fugaces

Emerging Aerodynamics

​Pendulum Math

​Brownie Math

Learning to read and add fractions is much more fun with brownies :)

Mix dry and wet ingredients separately then combine and pour mixture into a parchment paper lined 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15 to 18 minutes.

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar 
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil 
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cups almond flour 
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Estimating Blueberries

​How many blueberries do you guess are in 1 cup?

Wow! 62!!

Blueberry Muffins

Mix together the following ingredients then scoop into muffin pan and bake at 350 for 18 to 20 minutes.

• 2 cups almond flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 cup blueberries

​Lion's Mane Winter Stew

Huge thanks to Mama Christy-Lynn for sharing this delicious homemade sourdough bread with us!

Coconut Cinnamon Apples

Nut Butter Treats

Jamming with Kayla Kangaroo!

​Sweet Friends!

​See you next time!