Why art is important in preschool (and elementary school too)

From the Dec/Jan issue of Mailbox magazine (an idea book for teachers)

"82% of scientists responded "YES!" they would recommend an arts and craft componet in education as an important background for scientific innovators....why?  Because they believe that promoting creativity and problem solving sets the stage for innovative thinking years later."

  This is why it is important to give children a variety of experiences....so they can use their brains to think, not just memorize or regurgitate answers

Space theme in pre- k class at Trinity Preschool

The white paper is the frame work of our rocket ship and we have steering wheels , and head sets in there for the astronauts.

This is mission control, and we add computer keyboards and head sets .

We made jet packs with empty juice bottles hooked onto a felt vest. We added some silver embellishment and flame s made out of felt.

This is the mission control with an added graphic of the planets.

The children made paper mache planets and painted them to reflect the colors we think of the planers being. They are hanging over our group time area with a yellow balloon as the sun.

Side view of the rocket ship

Another view of our rocket ship.