This month, we are shining the spotlight on our revamped MP Building! While still a work in progress, we have added a lot of value to this space and transformed it into an environment where children will have the opportunity to explore their creativity in new ways.

Fostering Creativity Through Investigations Using the Studio Approach

Creativity seems to emerge from multiple experiences, coupled with a well-supported
development of personal resources, including a sense of freedom to venture beyond the known.
—Loris Malaguzzi, The Hundred Languages of Children

Atelier is a French word, meaning workroom or artist’s studio (Biermeier, 2015). The Reggio atelier was first established in 1963 and became a central aspect of Malaguzzi’s preschool design, later added to the infant-toddler centers including mini-ateliers in individual classrooms (Hanna, 2014). Historically, an atelier serves not only as a place where seamstresses, carpenters, painters, sculptors, and other artists could create their products, but also as a place that could offer inspiration and answers to their questions (Biermeier, 2015). An atelier is a multi-modal laboratory for cognitive, emotional, and imaginative expression (Hanna, 2014). Inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, we have created special places, separate from the classrooms, where children use creative art as a tool to represent their ideas and feelings (Biermeier, 2015).

Literacy and STEAM Studio

Based on the concept of the Reggio atelier, we are in the process of designing what we will call “studio spaces” for children. A studio approach allows time for children and educators to dwell with materials, linger in artistic processes, and work together on particular ideas and propositions (Kind, Vintimilla, & Pacini-Ketchabaw, 2018). Studio spaces are emergent spaces, a space in movement, taking shape as a work of art might, and we move together with the studio’s emergence (Kind, Vintimilla, & Pacini-Ketchabaw, 2018). Thus far, we have begun to design literacy, STEAM, and art studio spaces. The literacy and STEAM studios are in the Multipurpose Building and the art studio will be in our nature art area outside. Once complete, classrooms will have scheduled studio space time each week.

Climbing Wall

In addition, we have decided to include a climbing wall in the Multipurpose Building. There are many benefits of rock wall climbing for children of all abilities. “It’s like solving a puzzle on a wall, fostering problem solving, sequencing and fine and gross motor skills that can be translated into everyday activities” (Janowski, 2022). Climbing uses reciprocal movement which is shown to improve wrist flexion and extension, range of motion and grip strength (Janowski, 2022). Rock wall climbing increases flexibility, strength, fine and gross motor skills, and body awareness (Janowski, 2022). The rock wall has safety mats and is under 90” tall.

To help us create innovative creative spaces for children, we are searching for experts in literacy, STEAM, and art to assist us in setting up our studio spaces. Please contact Erica Ritter if you are interested.

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