The Art Studio at RCHS

The new art studio will be housed within our Meadow Street Center and will be co-located with our developmental classroom. Both environments are designed to promote inclusive, responsive, and engaging learning for all children. A second studio space is being planned by Education Manager Missy Burke at the Children’s Discovery Center, further expanding access to creative learning opportunities across our sites.

Why is Art So Important in Early Childhood Education?

At RCHS, we know that art is not just an activity—it’s a vital language of childhood.

Rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, our emerging art curriculum encourages children to express ideas, emotions, and knowledge through painting, building, singing, dancing, drawing, storytelling, and more.

Our art studio will introduce children to new tools and materials, thoughtfully arranged to spark curiosity. We will invite them to explore with their senses—asking what the materials feel like on their hands, how they sound, how they differ from others. Through open-ended questions and responsive interactions, our educators will support children in using art to represent what matters to them: a self-portrait, a pet, a memory, or something they noticed in nature.

This process is not about the product—it’s about discovery. It’s about giving children time and space to make choices, to take risks, to reflect on what they’ve made, and to tell the stories behind their creations. Their ideas will be documented through photographs, shared in our classrooms and hallways, and celebrated with families. Children may even help create books about their artwork—literally becoming authors and illustrators of their own stories.

A Space For Creativity

The addition of our art studio reflects the broader vision of RCHS: to create nurturing environments where all children and families thrive. Our program is proud to be fully staffed with dedicated, qualified educators who bring innovation, compassion, and curiosity into every classroom. From partnerships with local universities and early intervention providers to our outdoor education initiatives and developmental supports, RCHS continues to lead in delivering high-quality early childhood education in rural Vermont.

The art studio is a joyful new chapter in that work. It is a place where children’s voices are heard, where their creativity is honored, and where learning is an adventure. It will be a magical, happy space—one that reflects the values and dreams of our children, families, educators, and community.

Take the Magic of the Art Studio Home

At Rutland County Head Start, children are invited to explore new materials, ask questions, and express themselves through art, storytelling, building, and more. You can support this kind of creative learning at home, too! Try these simple, open-ended questions to help your child reflect, wonder, and imagine—just like they do in the art studio.

🖌️ Ask About Their Creations

• "Can you tell me about what you made today?"
• "What was your favorite part of making it?"
• "What did it feel like to use that material?"
• "What else could we use to make something like this at home?"

🧠 Encourage Creative Thinking

• "What would happen if we used something different—like string or leaves?"
• "If your drawing could come to life, what would it say or do?"
• "How would you teach someone else to make this?"

🌟 Build on Their Interests

• "You love painting with blue. What else could we find that’s blue?"
• "You drew a dinosaur! What kind of home do you think it would live in?"
• "You built a tall tower—what could go at the very top?"

📚 Use Storytelling to Extend Learning

• "What’s the story behind your picture?"
• "Can we make up a bedtime story together using your drawing?"
• "Let’s make a little book with your artwork. What should we call it?"

🌱 Foster Problem Solving and Reflection

• "Was there something tricky about making that? What did you do?"
• "What would you change or add if you could make it again?"
• "What do you want to try next time?"

🧡 Tips from NAEYC:

• Focus on the process, not the product. Praise your child’s ideas, effort, and creativity—not just what it “looks like.”
• Ask open-ended questions that start with "how," "what," or "why" to encourage conversation.
• Display their artwork at home to show that their thinking and expression are valued.
• Create a little “studio” space at home with paper, crayons, recycled materials, or natural items like pinecones, leaves, or pebbles.

🎨 Your home is a powerful place for learning

By talking with your child, you’re building their confidence, language, and imagination—just like we do every day at Rutland County Head Start!