ST. JOHNSBURY — Catamount Arts will present a series of professional development workshops this spring for early childhood educators. April Zajko, M.Ed. will teach Tuesday night Zoom workshops, beginning April 22. Barbara Paulson will teach two workshops, one for educators and one for parents and caregivers, on May 9 and May 10. Alexandra Turner, M.Ed., will teach in-person workshops at Catamount Arts on May 30 and May 31. All workshops are free of charge, but registration is required.
On Tuesday, April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., EcoArt: Creating with Recycled Materials will explore the creative potential of common materials such as corrugated cardboard, cereal boxes, tubes, milk jug caps, fabric scraps, egg cartons, plastic containers, old magazines, scrap wood and even bubble wrap. Participants will learn techniques for building 3D structures and explore ways to inspire children’s open-ended creations and problem-solving skills.
On Tuesday, May 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., Nature Art in the Garden will immerse participants in the garden, exploring ways to engage children in nature-inspired art making. Techniques include using natural materials like leaves, petals, stones, seed pods and sticks to create art, pressed flowers, garden-inspired prints and more. Children will observe seasonal changes and use surroundings as a source of inspiration.
On Friday, May 9, Create and Animate: Building Puppet Bonds in the Classroom invites early childhood educators to the Catamount Arts Center, from 5-7 p.m. Puppeteer Barbara Paulson will guide participants to create several puppet styles from a variety of easily sourced materials for fun interactive games sure to engage young learners and help students and puppeteers alike to plumb their own emotions, behaviors, and motivations. Early childhood educators will earn professional development credit for attending this workshop.
On Saturday, May 10, parents and caregivers are invited to Catamount Arts, from 10 a.m. to noon, for Create and Animate: Making and Using Puppets with Your Children. In workshop, families will learn to craft a rod puppet from a variety of easily-sourced art materials. Participants are invited to stay after the workshop to enjoy the Catamount Arts 50th Anniversary Block Party.
Designing Preschool Arts Centers will take place on Zoom, Tuesday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. Early childhood educators will learn strategies for setting up an art space that encourages open-ended art experiences using affordable and easily accessible materials. The workshop will cover essential topics including creating a welcoming environment, selecting appropriate materials, setting up art invitations that support young children and how to manage materials. Participants can earn professional development credit from Northern Lights.
On Friday, May 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., Alexandra Turner will facilitate Explorations in Paint, at Catamount Arts. Participants in this process-based workshop will experiment with watercolor, tempera, paint sticks, and non-traditional options while discussing what’s developmentally appropriate and learning about arts skills in VELS, National Core Arts Standards and Teaching Strategies Gold.
On Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to noon, Turner will facilitate Art and Creativity for Regulation, at Catamount Arts on Eastern Avenue. Participants will explore a variety of arts materials and creative exercises designed to activate connection between mind and body, and then reflect upon how these experiences affect their emotions. The workshop will help build an introductory knowledge about the ways in which arts and creativity can be used as tools for regulation in early childhood education environments and beyond.
To register or learn more about free workshops for Early Childhood Educators this spring at Catamount Arts, visit catamountarts.org.
