Early Learning Kindergarten students discover the world through art

Early Learning Kindergarten students at Churchill Public School and 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.

“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.”

She adds: “Students are free to focus on any subject, theme or material. 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. 

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Media Contact:

Iva McNair, Early Learning Administrator,

Rainbow District School Board, 705.523.3308, ext. 8220

Ava McLinton, an Early Learning Kindergarten student at Churchill Public School, creates art with natural materials.

Lunden Campbell-Runia uses natural materials in the Early Learning Kindergarten class at Churchill Public School as part of the Artists in the Classroom project.

Little Current Public School student Maddy Latva-Aro works with fibre as part of the Artists in the Classroom project in Early Learning Kindergarten.

Bryton Wemigwans works on three dimensional fibre forms with artist Mariana Lafrance in the Early Learning Kindergarten class at Little Current Public School.