JACKSON, Wyo. — Spilled glitter, too much glue and paint smudges on every surface—no one said the creative process was clean and simple!
Early childhood educators know how crucial these purposeful messes can be to the learning process; how art and creativity can teach problem-solving, abstract thinking, follow-through and self-empowerment, not to mention provide opportunities for self-discovery and team work. For Tessa Lindman at the Jackson Hole Children’s Museum, the messier the experience, the better.
“A lot of what I believe in Early Education is child-led but also inquiry-based.”
Tessa Lindman, Jackson Hole Children’s Museum
“A lot of what I believe in Early Education is child-led but also inquiry-based,” Lindman said. “I was a super messy child… I didn’t color inside the lines. I’m a big believer in the creative process. The more that we have in this community, the better.”
It’s never too early to start learning through creating, and that’s why Jackson Hole parent Shelby Pollard Belote is thrilled to have programs such as Create Together with amazing teachers like Lindman, where her children have the space and resources to explore their creative dreams.
“From a pre-K aspect, art resources are so limited,” says Belote. “To have that one-on-one time with the children in regards to having an incredible educator like Tessa kind of help and work and lead them through the process… they look up to [her] as a role model, as a friend.”
These early education opportunities help lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and growing, but they wouldn’t be possible without the patient, hard-working and understanding teachers and staff who show up each day to support the little artists and students on their journeys.
“I actually think that Tessa, to my children, is a real-life superhero,” says Belote. “That impact on our family is going to mean so much more, it’s not just a two-hour Create Together class, it goes years and years and years into my children’s life.”
As a community, let’s come together to support the wonderful early childhood educators who work so tirelessly to help our children be the best they can be.
Learn more about Champions for Children, the impactful alliance of the Children’s Learning Center, the Jackson Hole Children’s Museum and the Teton Literacy Center – and discover ways you can show your support for local teacheros; visit championsforchildrenjh.com/teacheroes/.
