By Judy Fillner, Preschool Lead Teacher

Art has been a powerful part of our 3-year-olds’ journey this school year — helping them explore big feelings, build self-awareness, and practice understanding each other.

Each month, Purple House visits the Ballweg Gallery in our Ironworks building to check out the latest exhibit. The kids talk about what they see — colors, shapes, what's happening in the art and which pieces they like best (and why!). It’s always amazing to hear how they connect what they see to how they feel.

In June, the gallery featured bold, expressive portraits by Kilsa Baganha-Dremsa, inspired by Brazil’s natural wonders. The kids looked closely at the faces in the artwork and talked about the emotions they saw—connecting what they’ve learned all year about feelings, empathy and expression.

Back in the classroom, they got creative with shaving cream, drawing faces with their fingers that showed different emotions. Then they moved on to self-portraits — first of themselves, and then of themselves feeling: happy, sad, excited, calm. The results were thoughtful, sweet and an amazing representation of their year of hard work.

It’s been incredible to watch their social-emotional growth this year. These little ones are learning not just how to name their feelings, but how to see and respect emotions in others, too. Go Purple House!

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