Art & Nature Class Description

Toddler Art: 18-36 mos

Join us for a joyful art adventure designed just for Toddlers and their grown-ups.

Each Toddler must be accompanied by a caregiver throughout the class.This experience is built around shared exploration.We ask that an adult stay and actively support the interests of the child throughout the class.You are welcome to take photos of your child during the class.

Together you and your child will explore: Painting, mark-making, clay, pouring & mixing positions, sensory bins, water play, collage, beading, light explorations, sound explorations, blocks, animal figures and seasonal “loose-parts” from nature.

This class is designed to spark curiosity, engage the senses, encourage open-ended creativity while building connections between children and their caregivers.

Children move about the space and explore a variety of different opportunities.Let your child linger at their chosen space and we will find ways to extend their process.This class gets messy and the children go deep into their process.Some children will prefer to use their hands vs. small spoons & tools.Their hands allow them to go deep into their sensory exploration.Their hands are the preferred tools to use verses the tiny spoons.There are many opportunities set up for sound and cause and effect.There are a variety of textures, scents and sounds that provoke language and curiosity.

I encourage you to bring a change of clothes for after the class.

This class was originally designed to meet for 45 minutes, but then we realized the majority of the class was still very engaged and not yet ready to depart after the 45 minutes so the class was extended to an hour. 1 hour is a long time, so if your Toddler is showing signs they are ready to leave after 40-45 minute feel to follow the energy of the your child.

__________________________________________

GG-Art & Nature Age Groups:

Preschool: 3-5 yrs

&

Kindergarten- Grade 4th

Each weekly class has a routine.A routine allows children to settle into the space and anticipate what comes next.

Our Art Studio/Atelier is our dedicated workshop shop space acting as a laboratory for exploration, creative expression and research. This is a unique space where children use their “Hundred Languages” to make their thinking visible. We have 3 different rooms within our Art studio space. The Sun Room, Moon Room & the Star Room.Each space has its own special charm and the esthetics are always changing to inspire creativity and curiosity.Why are so many of our items in transparent containers or class jars? Because everything appears more magical. Many esthetic changes involve the seasons, daylight or stormy dark days, and children’s new found interests.We are a Reggio Inspired approach program, so we do not have a theme based curriculum.

Atelierista: Teacher Kelly is always thinking about how to set up the environment that allows the children to see the materials, tools that inspire, beautiful natural materials, colors, textures, sounds, and lights. Often the way these items are displayed inspire creativity and the children think of a variety of ways to use them in their creations.Using the natural and artificial lights, organizing all of the many materials and loose-parts to make them suggest potential and and inspire wonder and curiosity.

We want to foster creativity, encourage their deep thoughts, allow them to take risks, give each other feedback, while Teachers write down their process and document their journey.

Materials in the Art studio: Does everything wash out? No it does not. Artists get dirty. Nature lovers get dirty. Please let us know if you want us to help your child change into play clothes when they arrive.We purchase high quality paints, pastels, clay, technological tools, microscopes, projectors, fibers(materials, yarns, wools, felts), glues. I believe you need the right materials & tools for each specific creation.That is part of what we do in our focus.How to properly hold and manipulate tools & materials.Determining how to select the proper brush, mark-maker, paper, receiver( what holds a creation or drawing/painting)glue, etc.All of these are important decisions that each artist is making while they are creating.They are building their skill set.

Crossing Borders: The Art studio/Atelier serves as a bridge between Art, Science and Technology. The children are researchers and capable of exploring with the support and guidance of their Teachers.We provide various mediums to express themselves freely.

Nature and Living things in the ArtStudio/Atelier:

Having natural items visible & and on the tables is an essential part of our everyday set up.Children are so inspired by nature and and the textures and smells that we obtain from these plants and animals enhance each individuals experience as they create in the studio.Microscopes, lights, display cases, and magnifying classes allow use to take a closer look.

Focus Activity: (Each week 12-18 minutes)Each week a specific material and complementary tools are introduced for in-depth exploration.Teachers ask open ended questions(e.g.,”Can a shadow reflect color?)to inspire curiosity and new perspectives.Tools and proper techniques are demonstrated to extend learning.

Free Choice: Each Artist can enjoy a wide range of materials and tools that are available to explore.There is a generous amount of time set aside each class where the children can “tinker.”

We explore a wide variety of materials often referred to as a Language. The Language of: Clay, Colors, Paints, Collage, Paper, Photography, Sewing, Sounds, Plants & Living things, Mark-Making, Eco System, Fibers, Wood Working, Games, Paper, Mosaics, Light Explorations,Poetry & Storying Telling, Wax, Loose-Parts, and so many other Languages to be newly discovered or re-examined.

Nature time in Park Presidio:

Most of our weekly classes have a Nature component.The Park Presidio is just 5 Blocks from our Studio.It has a vast history and is always changing.The Trees and the landscape has evolved significantly since GG-Art & Nature started exploring its Beauty in 2015.The weather and landscape bring opportunities for us to see, hears, and sometime hold animals. We talk about what animals and plants live there. Teachers reference Coyotes and how to be safe and yet not afraid if we do see one. ( Not running, yet having a marching body or standing still, Teachers try to be aware of dens etc) Presidio.gov is an amazing reference for us to know how many Coyotes are in Park Presidio.They are carefully monitored and yes they have a job to do. Eat and be scavengers for left over foods, small rodent population.

The Birds and where they live and what they sound like is a wonder to watch and be apart of.The small creatures that eat the leaves and branches that leave their marks.The salamanders and juicy bugs living under rocks.Gophers popping up from their holes in the Spring.The Butterflies and moths fluttering around as we make our way down the paths and trails.

The fog horns sounding in the air. The crazy, wacky Parrots that fly around as comical flock.The sight of the Golden Gate Bridge popping up in the background as we explore different landmarks.

The seasonal sweet and pungent smell and textures that are always changing.The wildly tall grass that gross up and feels light a jungle.The magic beans from the pods of the Mariposa Trees.The sour grass that pops up in the Early part of January and stays till March. The California Poppy’s that flirt with us as we walk by.The Fungi that growing in pockets and exhibits multiple colors and sizes.

We have many opportunities to climb in trees in the Park Presidio.That is not something that is available for most children and it is something that I really value. It is a very different opportunity for children to navigate tree branches to climb and balance vs. Playground equipment. It’s allowing them to take a risk and trust themselves and put the weight of their body on a limb and grip with the strength of their hands and arms to pull up and down on the branches and trunk.There are few programs that allow children this opportunity (world wide). How do I know this?Because I attend International conference in Italy in April & November. It’s a hot topic and we are very fortunate to provide this opportunity.

We have a 1.6 Ratio

Coyote Camp 7-10 yrs 1.10 ( Depending on the campers attending the group)

There are some groups of children that require a bit more support than that.