Trainings
Bridget Matros has been an informal arts educator for 25 years. She studied social psychology at Oberlin College with a focus on child development and school reform before developing programs at Boston Children's Museum for 11 years. Her chapter entitled "Handprint Turkeys and Cottonball Snowmen: Is There Hope for an Artful America?" was published in 20 Under 40: Redefining Arts Education in the 21st Century. An advocate for creative development in early childhood, Bridget has been empowering parents and early childhood educators with simple tools for protecting their kids' greatest asset - their creativity. Matros has delivered community outreach and family programming at Waterfall Arts in Belfast, Maine for 12 years, while also serving as Artist in Residence for Kindergarteners in Brunswick for five years. Clients and partners include Waldo County Head Start, Cornerspring Montessori, Pen Bay Creative Learning Center, RSU71, and Maine Montessori Association.
My trainings
Don't Build the Box!
How and Why to Protect Creativity in
Your Classroom
I WILL BE PRESENTING THIS TRAINING Saturday, April 4,
at the York County Early Childhood Conference
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In this fun, hands-on session, caretakers and educators learn just how important it is that our kids start school as divergent thinkers, problem solvers, and resilient explorers. Luckily, humans are wired for that - but early experiences often squash those natural tendencies. We'll share what may have hurt our inner artist during childhood and vow to recognize and protect the creativity of those in our care - with super practical, fool-proof practices anyone can apply in their spaces.
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What You'll Walk Away With:
- Understanding CREATIVITY as a set of cognitive skills
- Centering those skills as critical to economic survival in an unimaginable job market
- A solid commitment to "process over product" - and confidence in How-To!
- An appreciation for artmaking versus doing craft projects
- New supportive language to use during creative work
- Practical tips for managing open ended activities
- Dedication to protecting creative tendencies in your children
- Dedication to appreciating and nurturing your own creativity
- A number to call when you need inspiration or help!