Art is Play

Art is Play

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Art is Play
Art is Play
What are children learning in a child-led classroom?

What are children learning in a child-led classroom?

Surprising insights from Jessica Borowets of The Artful Child as she shares her arts-focused, early learning approach.

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The Creativity Project
May 24, 2025
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Art is Play
Art is Play
What are children learning in a child-led classroom?
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There’s something fascinating about observing in someone else’s classroom. We love to poke around, get to know the materials that are available, see how tables are arranged, and explore the way the space has been laid out into zones or areas of exploration. It’s even better to see a classroom when there are children in it. What does it feel like? What does it sound like? Do children congregate in one cozy nook, or do they flow about the room? And more importantly, what does the space communicate to children and adults about the values of the program? We know it can be almost impossible to step out of the classroom during school hours, let alone one in a completely different city or country. Which is why we want to bring you inside learning spaces that prioritize play, creativity, and a deep sense of belonging.

Before we dig into our conversation with Jessica Borowets of The Artful Child, a quick note for those of you who have not made the leap to upgrade to paid, we’d love for you to consider doing so. With more paid subscribers supporting our Substack, we can dedicate more time to this creative space, where we hope to bring even more resources, interviews, videos, and live chats at the intersection of art + play + learning. Now, more than ever, we need to join together to prioritize play and creativity in the classroom and at home before they go missing entirely in childhood. We would sincerely appreciate your consideration of a paid subscription. A yearly subscription works out to about 4.16 a month, which is now less expensive than a cup of coffee. And thank you, thank you to those of you who have already made the leap.

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