Welcome to Little Loft: A Place to Play Where Art is at the Heart
My intention is to create a warm and playful place for children to relax and explore through multimedia and sensory play. There is a focus on self-discovery, expression, and self-esteem through art and play in a small group setting. This extends from inside the studio to the outdoor sand and forest areas where the children have time for unstructured play, sharing of ideas and an opportunity to learn to coordinate with each other through their play. A creative mind also needs an active body!
There appears to be so many more pressures and stresses on children today. My goal is to offer a space where children can have a break from the stresses of their lives and just be children. Play, create, discover, and grow.
Programs at the Little Loft are child centered, focus on the children's interests and choices, meet individual needs and are a joint venture between myself, them, and each other.
My programs allow children:
- To be personally expressive
- To experience process rather than product
- To be creative and I support new ideas
- Time and space for discovery and experimentation
- To explore a variety of mediums
- To foster a positive image of self
If you choose to participate within any of my programs, I will provide your child with a safe supportive environment where they feel they can be themselves and play freely. I hold a deep respect for childhood, it is a treasured time to be honoured and celebrated!
Art is a way to explore ourselves. Through creative art experiences children develop a sense of self, they feel empowered and see themselves reflected in their work. There is no right or wrong way to play with the materials, so success is guaranteed!
Process art allows a child to be creative and innovative. It’s all about the process of creation rather than the creation itself. Each art experience is unique to each child.
I believe that some of the most important and beneficial aspects of a process approach to art is the support and creation of self-esteem, self-expression and confidence. With process art there is no comparing with others, so it is not a measure of skill. I call it “experimenting” with the materials and encourage curiosity in seeing what will happen. Each child’s piece will be different depending on how they play with the art materials. In group sessions we always marvel at each art work and examine what cool things happened in each piece. All amazing, all unique, just like each of them.
Art and sensory experiences calm the nervous system, offer a relaxing effect and can be very effective in easing anxiety and stress for children and adults alike. And of course, art and creation are stimulating and FUN!
My programs are built on a combination of my years of working with many different families and children and pulling from different areas of developmental philosophies to find what supports best in the moment. We are all unique and important and I honour the culture of each individual family.
Most of my inspiration comes from the children themselves and I believe that learning through play and sensory experience is key to healthy development. Support and gentle guidance from caring and engaged adults will foster confidence and create mutual joy!
"Art is one way in which children discover how to be more like themselves, rather than just like everyone else."
~ Sydney Gurewitz Clemens ~
