Preschool of the Arts

PSA Welcomes New Director, Ann Gadzikowski

It is with great excitement to inform you that Preschool of the Arts has found a new Executive Director. Ann Gadzikowski brings a wealth of diverse educational administrative experience most recently at Northwestern University. A published author and talented musician, Ann will begin her new role October 2. Below is what Ann shared about her new … Continue reading →

Summer Intentions – Teacher as Researcher through Building

During the summer, each classroom is asked to use one of five Reggio Emilia principles as an intention for summer school. The Orange Room felt most drawn to exploring the Role of Teacher as Guide and Researcher. We are focusing on facilitating children’s ability to represent what they know and imagine. To review and help … Continue reading →

Summer Intentions – Environment as Third Teacher through Gardening

For our summer intention, the White Room also chose “The Environment as the Third Teacher”. In the White Room, this means the outdoor environment, and more specifically the PSA garden. In the garden, Kristin, our environmental specialist, gave us lessons in how we can help her care for the plants at PSA. We committed to … Continue reading →

Summer Intentions – Free Flow Outdoor Art

This summer, the Art Specialists decided to work more collaboratively, and to let the children work more collaboratively as well. Our intention is to delve into creating an environment that is free flowing and looks to support artistic, collaborative work between children from different classrooms for extended periods of time, and at will. Like the classrooms, the art studio … Continue reading →

Summer Intentions – Environment as Third Teacher through Photography

This summer at Preschool of the Arts, each classroom has chosen one of five Reggio Emilia principles as their summer intention. The Rainbow Room is going to explore the environment as the third teacher. How do different environments affect the children’s level of calmness, ability to focus, and how may it help them address their … Continue reading →

Gold Room Chinese Dragon Explorations

The children’s interest began with a book by Marcia Vaughan called ”The Dancing Dragon.” They seemed especially interested in the long, colorful, accordion-style dragon picture in the book. They read this book in the music studio with Ms. Ann and they got a chance to use ribbons to explore the wave-like movements of the dragon as … Continue reading →

Collaboration in the Music Studio

One priority for music specialists in a Reggio Emilia inspired school is the importance of building the essentials of a solid early childhood music education while remaining open to collaborate with classroom teaching teams, parents, children and the environment. As the children listen to music they typically respond to what they are hearing through moving … Continue reading →

Copper Room City Planners

Our city planner, Abby, came this week and gave a presentation about what are important things to remember when creating a city and neighborhood. She simplified her role for the children and described her job as “someone that gets to decide what happens to land in cities and chooses what types of things should go … Continue reading →

The Week of the Young Child at PSA

In our Reggio-inspired environment, we place a great deal of importance on the image of children as capable, knowledgeable, and resilient. It is important for our conversations and interactions with children to reflect these values. It is equally important for children to foster these beliefs within themselves and find strength in their own capabilities. This … Continue reading →