What’s the name of your school/group?
Kinderu Preschool at Eisenhower Center for Innovation in Mesa, Arizona

What brings your school back to the i.d.e.a. Museum year after year?
The i.d.e.a. Museum provides high quality, developmentally appropriate, ENGAGING art education. I don’t know how many times I’ve said this, but participating in Artful Tales Experiences introduces young children to museums. Most of the students I serve have/will never attend the museum without experiencing the outreach program or field trip. As an early childhood educator, I feel personally obligated to encourage children to appreciate the arts at a young age.

What was your school’s favorite i.d.e.a. Museum exhibition?
Insects
All Aboard Trains
It’s a Dog’s life
Underwater FantaSEA

When your school group is at the museum, where do they usually spend their time? 
Whenever we are visiting the museum our families split into two groups, so we utilize both the HUB and ArtVille. We spend about 60 minutes on each side. Plus, I love the outdoor area, too!

How has the i.d.e.a. Museum directly impacted your school and the students? How do you think the museum is carrying out its mission of nurturing creative thinking, supporting early learning and engaging families to spend quality time together?
The museum has provided creative opportunities that the children bring back to the classroom. Our process art station is the most utilized in our classroom. Their interest level to utilize the art area increases after museum experiences. Some of the creations made after visiting the museum are houses, cars, insects and stamp art.  The museum has also provided me as an educator with wonderful ideas that I can directly implement. Some examples include new book titles, sensory table ideas, process art resources and more! The best part about the museum is how families engage in creative and positive ways while playing and creating together. Family members often comment on how much fun they had creating and learning new fun ways to work with their child at home.

Who’s your favorite artist or what’s your favorite piece of artwork?
I’m a fan of Jackson Pollock, I love sharing information about his work with the children in our classroom. The children enjoy magnetic and marble painting inspired by Pollock’s work.

Anything else you’d like to add that I didn’t ask?
We greatly appreciate everything the museum does to encourage children to utilize their most creative side every time they visit!