The Art of Early Education: Empowering Teachers to Innovate

This year, we’re launching a pilot program close to our hearts—The Art of Early Education, a curriculum designed to ignite creativity and build literacy foundations for preschoolers. Partnering with two YMCA preschools in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, we’re not only bringing curriculum but creating opportunities for teachers to shape and adapt it for their classrooms.

Seeing the journey unfold this week was something special. After initial workshops with the teachers, we stepped into the classrooms to see vibrant, collaborative murals in the making. What struck me most was how each teacher brought their unique perspective to the same project. While they had the same materials, training, and lesson plans, each classroom was unique in how they chose to deliver the content and engage their students in the project. 

Students exploring the difference between tempera and watercolor before being invited to mix their own colors and paint a layer of tempera on top of their layer of watercolor from last week. 

The students worked at table-top level at the Ann Arbor YMCA, with the teachers actively facilitating materials and brushes (including toothbrushes, which was a lovely touch thought of by the teacher!)

The teachers jumped in to work alongside the kids on the floor at the Ypsilanti Collaborative YMCA. 

This experience was a powerful reminder: there’s no single way to approach creativity or teaching. When given quality tools and thoughtful support, educators can adapt and personalize learning to engage their students in ways that feel authentic to them. Witnessing each teacher's “flair” was inspiring and underscored the value of giving educators the freedom to bring their full selves into their work.

If you’re interested in curriculum development, process art, or the crossover between early education and the arts, I’d love to connect and share insights from this journey. Creating adaptable programs and empowering teachers to lead with their strengths can transform learning for kids and educators alike.