Studio 4 Art LLC and Do Art Teacher Manifesto

How we teach! A Child Initiated, Project Based Learning Approach

What is Child Initiated Project Based Learning?

We meet the child where they are at and elevate through questions, curiosity, and play to help them discover in new ways. This allows them to reach beyond what they imagined possible! We lead through questions, allowing for child initiated responses, leaving students feeling accomplished and capable. We encourage experimentation, investigation, and play - will an idea work? Let’s find out together!

A child initiated approach requires flexibility, knowledge of material, and curiosity from our instructors. We are providing a space for children to explore. We can guide, suggest, demonstrate, and learn alongside them. Subject matter is less focal than their engagement and interest. By allowing for the project to unfold as we go, implementing the process based approach to our project, a child is given space to create a piece that they are designing and directing while getting to learn something new. Our goal is for them to be interested, feel accomplished, introduce them to new techniques, and be empowered in their creating. 

Throughout a project, we pause together and investigate with wonder, sparking curiosity and encouraging further exploration. We offer small, achievable challenges that help them reach new levels of understanding. After all, not even we know what’s possible until trying! By guiding them just a bit further, we help nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of empowerment that will serve them in all areas of life - one art project at a time.