Studio in a School Workshop in the Finger Lakes
By Rachel Zielinski, QUALITYstarsNY Quality Improvement Specialist, Finger Lakes
In October, QUALITYstarsNY’s Finger Lakes region Quality Improvement Specialists (QI Specialists) and participating programs gathered for a day that blended creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. The team partnered with Studio in a School in NYC to provide participants with an in-person training day that brought providers and educators together to explore the power of artistic expression—not only as a tool for teaching, but as a pathway for strengthening community and refreshing their own professional practice.
Approaches to Clay & Collage in the Early Childhood Classroom, a five-hour workshop was carried out by the artists of Studio in a School via Zoom to 20 QUALITYstarsNY participants from varying modalities. This hands-on workshop demonstrated ways to introduce children to 2-D & 3-D art using a variety of materials. The day’s structure blended modeled lessons, guided exploration, reflection, and practical classroom applications, creating an experience that was both inspiring and deeply relevant for the participants. The Finger Lakes QI Specialists provided lunch and time for networking and connection.
Beyond the art itself, the workshop created valuable opportunities for collaboration. Educators from different modalities and backgrounds worked side-by-side, sharing strategies, brainstorming ideas, and discovering new ways to support one another.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed their spirit, imagination, and creativity. This session connects to our Quality Standards work as well. The Environmental Rating Scale-3 (ERS-3) tools emphasize providing children with meaningful, accessible, and developmentally appropriate creative experiences. The ERS-3 tools value process over product art and look for both 2-D & 3-D art created by children to be displayed in the learning environment. The ERS-3 tools call for meaningful teacher engagement—such as talking with children about their ideas, modeling use of materials, and offering encouragement without taking over the experience. The artists did a beautiful job of modeling the process of exploring and creating with the materials as if the children were present with us. Enthusiasm and creative energy filled the room as positive feedback, new vocabulary and open ended questions were presented.
Each participant left with a bag of supplies to carry-out the activities with the children in their program. A big thank you to Studio in a School for supporting our idea from across the state & to Ibero American Action League, Inc. for allowing us the use of your beautiful space.
