Igniting Inspiration

By Tiffany Tran, director of marketing and communications
The creative spirit is within all of us. However, for the child who believes he or she “can’t draw” or “isn’t an artist,” it takes a passionate educator to offer a teachable moment to ignite inspiration. The Dot, a Peter H. Reynolds’ book is a story about just that. This book is the inspiration behind International Dot Day, which celebrates creativity, courage and collaboration.

The youngest students in the Early Childhood Center, our Tiny Torreys, recently read 
The Dot and joined with students around the world in celebration of International Dot Day on September 15. The story, about a teacher’s gentle influence on a doubtful and uninspired student's creative journey, sends a powerful message about self-expression, self-discovery and artistic experimentation for young children (and adults!).

The main message, “Just make a mark and see where it takes you,” is used as a tool for the arts curriculum in the Early Childhood Center. The simple, witty book conveys a powerful message about the importance of nurturing and cultivating creativity and a growth mindset.   

“The heartwarming tale sends an inspirational message that all students can be artists starting with one dot,” says Anna Fennessey, Tiny Torreys teacher. “This story of encouragement teaches children that ideas can start small, but it takes courage to begin. As they made their designs, some children chose a monochromatic design of a variety of circles; other children experimented with sizes or shapes of circles. They were inspired to create a dot on their own and ‘see where it took them’ like the story.”

With watercolor paper, tempera paint and paint sticks, and dot markers in hand, students sat in groups exploring, investigating and discussing their creative process.
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