Ever wondered how a well‑designed art center can spark creativity, support cognitive growth, and even boost literacy in your early childhood classroom?
In our recent Early Childhood Investigations webinar, Art Center Makeover: Designing organized Child-Centered Creative Spaces, art educator and researcher Faigie Kobre shared her “Art Center Blueprint”—a flexible, developmentally appropriate framework for cultivating joyful, self‑directed art experiences. Here’s a 6 step distilled version of her key insights and practical tips.
1. Why Art Matters: Cognitive & Social‑Emotional Benefits
In most classes today, we hyperfocus on mathematics, science, and, analytical thinking–which are incredibly important topics! But we seem to have lost sight of the implicit power of creativity and its unique framework for observation, comprehension, and problem-solving. The fundamental power of art is more than just “fun”; it helps with:
Creative problem‑solving: As Daniel Pink argues in A Whole New Mind, creativity is the future—outsourcing can replicate routine tasks, but original thinking cannot be outsourced.
Emotional regulation & well‑being: Creativity dissolves tension, heals trauma, and fuels positivity (Brink, McMaster Univ.; Kelly & Kelly, Creative Confidence)—making art a vital social‑emotional learning strategy.
Creativity is the original answer. When we teach children to exercise this muscle, they become more confident in making decisions, set off more easily in new directions, and are better equipped to find solutions both within themselves and in the world around them.
2. The Creative Trio Framework
Rather than pitching process art, art center, and crafts against each other, Faigie recommends a balanced “Creative Trio”:
Process Art: Open‑ended, exploratory activities (e.g., watercolor‑salt, spatter painting).
Art Center: Self‑serve stations stocked with loose parts, collage materials, drawing tools, etc.
Crafts: Developmentally appropriate, themed projects for holidays and seasons.
You don’t have to eliminate crafts; there is a way to do them that is developmentally appropriate and you can also add process art and an art center to broaden children’s experiences.
3. Setting Up an Effective Art Center
An art center isn’t just “a table with stuff.” Here are ways to transform your environment:
Designated time: Integrate your art center into daily work‑period/center time—or adapt for home and after‑school settings.
Limited, rotating materials: Offer a curated selection (e.g., buttons + toothpicks one week, ribbons + stapler the next) for 2–3 days to build familiarity.
Clear organization: Use trays, bins, or shoe organizers to separate paper types, loose parts, and adhesives. Less is more—overwhelming shelves can stifle creativity.
Demonstrate materials: Briefly show children how tricky tools work (e.g., staplers with gloves, large craft‑punch for little hands), then step back and let them explore.
Flexibility: If tape smears or glue won’t hold yarn, offer an alternate adhesive—observe, adjust, and learn alongside them.
4. Weaving in Literacy & Math
Art centers aren’t only artistic—they’re literacy and numeracy hubs:
Material Labels: Pair photos with words (e.g., “coffee filters”) so children match text to items.
Dictation & “Art Recipes”: Write what children say their artwork is (“jumping thing, tunnel”) or list “10 triangles + 5 googly eyes.” This reinforces left‑to‑right reading and planning skills.
Choice menus: Let children “order” materials by checking off items on a list—introducing early budgeting and decision‑making.
5. Displaying & Celebrating Artwork
Artwork that stays in a pile loses its magic. Make art visible and valued:
Shared portfolios: Place sheet‑protected art with captions (date, child’s words, activity name) in binders for each child or class.
Photobook keepsakes: Photograph 3D block creations or ephemeral process art, print, and bind into class or individual books.
Simple framing hacks:
Colored cardstock mats: Mount flat artwork on contrasting paper.
Recycled trays: Stretch lightweight 3D pieces on foam meat trays.
DIY cardboard frames: Cut, decorate, and staple together with children’s help.
Rotating gallery: Prepare laminated name‑backers on your walls; pin up current creations and cycle them into portfolios when leaving.
6. Overcoming Resistance & Next Steps
Not every teacher or parent will jump on board immediately. Faigie’s advice:
Offer both/and: If crafts are non‑negotiable, simply add an art center rather than replace one.
Lead by example: Run quick “teacher‑in‑training” demos so colleagues experience the joy and focus art brings.
Start small: Roll out one center at a time (e.g., drawing corner this week, collage table next week).
Ready to transform your classroom?
Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or at‑home educator, Faigie’s Art Center Blueprint gives you the tools to:
Foster deep engagement through open‑ended play
Integrate literacy and numeracy in joyful contexts
Celebrate each child’s unique voice and creativity
To receive the freebies Faigie shared—including material labels, starter PDFs for art center setups, and her “Beyond Copycat Crafts” guide, use this link. Then, set up your first art center and watch creativity flourish!
Powered by Playground
We’re grateful to always bring free content to you thanks to our producer, Playground, the child care management software.
Playground is the only app directors need to run their early child care center. Playground manages marketing, registration, billing, attendance, communication, paperwork, payroll, and more for child care programs. 300,000+ directors, teachers, and families trust Playground to simplify their lives.
Learn more by scheduling a free personalized demo.
