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Hi John!

Do you have a toddler or early preschooler?

Do you struggle to keep their interest at the art table for longer than it takes to set up the materials?

I’ve definitely been there, and the short attention span can feel frustrating.

Creativity can look very different at each developmental stage.

What we might see as lack of engagement in young children is really just a mismatch between projects and the child’s developmental stage.

The good news is there are some simple ways to shift this story away from frustration and towards more focus, enthusiasm, and engagement.

Come in close if you have a toddler or early preschooler...

I made you a downloadable checklist to help you plan engaging and successful art projects.

Here's a favorite tip from the list:
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👉Process Over Product

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Toddlers live in the moment.

They enjoy making art for art's sake, simply because they find it fun and engaging.

They are present-oriented explorers who are trying to figure out how things work.

In short, they are more connected with the now than the future and will be less motivated by projects that have a specific outcome.

Keeping this in mind, my best tip is to avoid cookie-cutter art projects that have an expected adult-driven outcome.

Now is the perfect time to nurture a “process over product” mindset.

Make sure to congratulate your toddler on their curiosity, thought process, and active making, rather than celebrating the final product.

The most important way to encourage creativity in toddlers is to stand back and let them explore, experiment, and, yes, probably get a little messy.

By letting them lead the way, we give toddlers space to be independent, autonomous, and imaginative - traits that will last a lifetime.

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​Click here to Download this Free Tool​

Join Schoolhouse - Enrollment closes June 17

If you'd like to stop struggling with projects that don't engage short attention spans and start enjoying longer, more engaging art sessions, join me in the Schoolhouse Kids Art Studio.

With over 100 developmentally appropriate toddler activities alone (and hundreds more for older children), I'll help you learn how to make art time more engaging and fun!

• In each activity I'll guide you with a short video (5 minutes or so) as inspiration to get you started.
• You'll also get downloadable PDFs with supply lists, steps, and tips for offline instruction.
• We'll focus on enhancing creative thinking with an emphasis on process over product, and I'll encourage your little maker/s to follow their ideas to create art that feels entirely unique to them.
• You'll also get more tips like the toddler tips shared here.

Join Schoolhouse Today Celebrating process over product, Rachelle PS. Summer enrollment closes June 17. If you've been thinking about joining, this will be the last chance before we reopen in the fall. Use the code SUMMER20 for $20 off the annual enrollment. ​