Today I’m chatting with Jessica Borowets of The Artful Child, which began as an outside the box preschool run by her mother in the late 60’s. Jessica strongly believes that children learn through play, and with all their senses, and that every child deserves the freedom to explore art materials and sensory activities without interruption.   In this episode, we discuss process art and creativity in early childhood education. We define creativity and process art, discussing the differences between crafts and art. We touch on the challenge of embracing mess in creative play, the power of sensory activities, and practical strategies for introducing process-based art to early childhood programs.   Some key takeaways: Creativity and Process Art:Kristen and Jessica define process art and discuss its pivotal role in preschool education.Creativity is an essential tool for childhood development. Crafts vs. Art: Kristen and Jessica share about the difference between guided crafts and child-led art, and how the latter fosters creativity through freedom of expression. Embracing mess: Both Jessica and Kristen acknowledge the challenge some educators face with the mess of creative play. There is value in mess making and the way it encourages children to explore materials liberally to aid in their creative development. Time and Uninterrupted Play: Kristen stresses the importance of uninterrupted, extended periods for children's engagement in activities, allowing ample time for exploration and creative marination. Jessica and her both give loads of ideas to spark inspiration. If you’ve ever wondered about why to allow for extended uninterrupted play and how to nurture children's creativity, this episode is for you! Kristen and Jessica advocate for environments that prioritize exploration, showcasing the incredible capabilities of children when provided with the freedom to create. Recommended Book: The Language of Art: Inquiry-Based Studio Practices in Early Childhood Settings by Ann Pelo   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Jessica here: @theartfulchild and get on the waitlist to join her upcoming digital course Create Your Enchanting Early Childhood Environment