ST. JOHNSBURY – Catamount Arts will host a workshop at 115 Eastern Avenue for early childhood educators on Thursday, May 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.. “Move, Sweep, Splash! Big Body Visual Art for Young Children” invites early childhood educators to rethink what art instruction and creation can look like when children are free to move, experiment, and create on a bigger campus. Space is limited, so secure a spot by registering in advance at catamountarts.org, or by calling (802) 748-2600.
In this workshop, early childhood educators will explore how to design visual art experiences that invite children to use their whole bodies as creative tools.
This session will provide concrete strategies for using affordable materials, organizing space, and facilitating art experiences that prioritize process, exploration, and child-led creativity. Educators will leave with actionable ideas they can immediately bring into their classrooms to support motor development, sensory exploration, collaboration, and imaginative thinking.
Educators will earn professional development credit and documentation for attending this free workshop. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to do describe the developmental benefits of large-scale visual art experiences that engage children’s bodies; design and facilitate developmentally appropriate “big body” art invitations; and create supportive environments for large-scale art experiences, both indoors and outdoors, using accessible materials while prioritizing process, creativity, and collaboration.
Facilitator April Zajko, M.Ed., is an early childhood educator, teacher educator, and founder of Nature Inspired Teacher, with more than 25 years of classroom experience supporting young children. She designs professional development and community-based learning experiences that help integrate nature and art into the lives of children. Through college courses, workshops, and collaborative projects, April supports adults in creating accessible, meaningful, and place-based experiences for children and families. April is also the founder and moderator of the Nature Inspired Teacher Facebook group, an engaged community of over 21,000 educators. Learn more at natureinspiredteacher.com
This workshop is made possible with funding from the Vermont Arts Council’s Early Childhood Arts Partnership program.
