Thanks to a generous grant from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Recreation Conservation Organization (RCO), we, the Educational Service District 123’s A.R.T.S (Artful Response to Tiered Support) program, have been engaged in an innovative outdoor art expression program for ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) preschool classrooms across Eastern Washington. This ECEAP program serves over 670 students, all of whom had the opportunity to participate in this program, connecting young learners with the natural world through hands-on art and environmental exploration.
Our program is designed to be accessible for all types of learners, ensuring that children with varying learning styles and abilities can fully participate. Our approach blends one-on-one interventions, small group sessions, and large group explorations to engage students in the world of nature and art. Through this process, something magical happens. When students engage with nature and art, all their senses are activated, and they can express themselves without the need for words. We witness a transformation as students physically relax and regain emotional stability. This immersive experience allows children to release tension, build confidence, and tap into their creativity, providing a sense of calm and focus.
At the heart of our program is the belief that all students are whole and capable. We create an environment where they feel empowered to explore, experiment, and express themselves. By valuing each child’s individual strengths, we nurture their potential and help them build skills that extend beyond the classroom.
In addition to these interventions, we introduced two new curriculums to our classrooms: Growing Up Wild, which focuses on early childhood environmental education, and Shrub-Steppe Exploration, created by Jenny Rieke, designed to educate on the importance of the unique ecosystem of the Columbia Basin. Each classroom also received a copy of Northwest Arid Lands: An Introduction to the Columbia Basin Shrub-Steppe, written by Karen Weida and Georganne P. O'Connor, to deepen students' understanding of the local environment and the interconnection between nature and art.
Through our art projects, we incorporate multiple subject areas and early learning objectives, seamlessly blending science, literacy, fine motor development, and social-emotional learning. Our activities are designed to encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and storytelling, fostering a well-rounded educational experience for our young learners.
As a part of this program, we were thrilled to take our students on an enriching outdoor field experience. They visited the REACH Museum or had the opportunity to interact with REACH museum educators who brought the museum experience directly to their classrooms. These experiences further reinforced the lessons students were learning, giving them real-world connections to the natural environments they were studying through art.
The culmination of this journey will be an exciting exhibition at the REACH Museum, where the students' artwork—reflecting their studies of the natural world—will be featured from April 1 to May 17. On May 9, we invite the parents and families of students to join us for an evening of exploration, where they can tour the museum with their children, view their artwork, and participate in activities that mirror the experiences their children enjoyed in the classroom.
In addition, with the support of this grant, we are collaborating with local organizations such as the City of Richland Parks and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife, and the Port of Benton, Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Chapter, Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy, Hanford, and more to bring our students' artwork to a local park kiosk in celebration of the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the Hanford Reach Monument. The hope is to have student artwork displayed on a rotating basis so that the kiosk becomes an educational tool as well. This partnership allows our young artists’ work to be seen and appreciated by the entire community.
Through this project, we are not only enriching the educational experience of our students but also strengthening their connection to the natural world and fostering a lasting appreciation for art and the environment. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with so many dedicated partners and are excited to share the creativity and learning of our young learners with the community.