Article Type Making Art Together Making Art Together Categories Infants and Toddlers Theory and Resources

From a Toddler's Point of View

Meghan Burch

The other week after observing a tentative toddler at the light table in the Studio I wondered if I had ever really looked at this room from the perspective of a toddler- 25 inches off the ground.  I’ve gotten on the floor probably  hundreds of times in the past 10 years here, but had I ever really experienced all the corners of our space as a toddler might? 

The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum

Having my own 18 month old at home has uncovered new questions in my work.  Maybe I’ve said this before? No longer do I see what I do from strictly an educator’s perspective- I now see it work through tired, freshman-parent eyes. These eyes are now learning just how real it is to parent a willful, exploratory, energetic toddler. In the hope to tie new connections between work and home I grabbed the camera and got on the studio floor.

The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum

From my observations over the years I know that while pleasant and vibrant, our space is large and therefore overwhelming for some small people.

The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum

My time on the floor offered me more questions than answers .  Is our entry welcoming for toddlers? Do we provide the right visual engagement at their level? Is our furniture conducive to toddler and toddler/parent participation? Do parents of toddlers feel at ease here? Does how I focus the camera match how a toddler sees our space?

The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum

As I explore these questions with Diana and our volunteers,  I want to hear from you.   Have you seen your space - be it your home or classroom, from a young child’s perspective? Did it lead you to make any changes? If so, what was the reaction?

The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum

Authors

Meghan, smiling and wearing a grey shirt with a blue background.

Meghan Burch

Art Educator from 2003-2016, Meghan has a BFA in Illustration from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She tries to think with materials and work with her hands every day.