Lakewood Montessori

Elizabeth,

Thank you so much for everything you have done with the kids this year.  Our girls raved about doing your art projects and have what I believe is a start to a life-long love of art.  It amazes me that while at home, both can sit for more than an hour, completely happy and absorbed in making something creative.  So, thanks again and I think you are incredible at what you do.  

-Scott and Heather Davis

Thank you very much Ms. Elizabeth!

We really appreciate the time and energy you have spent with kids throughout this year.

I can see the eagerness and happiness in my daughter when she was given a paper and color pencil at home. I am really happy to see the difference at what she can do now from where she has been at art at the beginning of the year.
Thanks once again for your hard work and cannot appreciate enough for the opportunity you and Lakewood Montessori school has given these kids to be creative.

-Sarvani Naidu

Thank you so much Elizabeth, for everything you have done for my son.  He loves you so much.

-Jenny Larsen

Thanks Lakewood Montessori for providing the art opportunity and Thanks to Ms. Scoggin for all of the informative information. It will make a significant difference in how we respond to art that comes home today and future days.
 
 -Angie Parekh

I am looking forward to being able to share art with your child at Lakewood Montessori this year! Art is something that I love and believe is an important part of our lives.

My experience teaching art to children (and my research) has revealed some important philosophies that I want to share with you.

* We are all artists! An artist is a person who freely expresses him or herself originally with different materials and motivations.

* There is no "right way" to express an idea or feeling through art, this means that each artist can feel satisfied and successful.

* The process of creating art is more important than the final product.  Their "scribbles" are important because they express something now, for the child, then evolve into more.   So, sometimes "quantity" art is appropriate. Remember your child at age 2 - 5 is developing fine motor skills and needs to go through some   motions with repetition.  Drawing lines and circles, etc. over and over is really practice and experimentation and thus, very valuable.

* Real creativity extends into other aspects of life and aids a person with problem solving and invention.

* Originality and uniqueness are to be valued.  Models and outlines will inhibit a child's creativity, and limit their ability to innovate.

* Your positive response to your child's art can encourage creativity.  Listen to your child's description of his or her artwork. Ask questions about the process, and how they were feeling when they did it,   then quietly and genuinely praise his or her efforts, without making any judgments. No false praise or criticism, remember that their work is an extension of themselves.

If we all understand the value of creative experiences, we will have more success in freeing these amazing children to express themselves through art.   
                            
Elizabeth Scoggin
Lakewood Montessori, Boise, Idaho