Children from the EMU Toddler Program attend a reception honoring their artwork.
“Bug rescue kits” hung from a display at The Buzz this week, highlighting the creativity of the young artists that attend University child care centers. The kits are clear plastic cups decorated with brightly colored little bug stickers and are connected by a string to a piece of cardboard.
About 40 children, ages 1 through 6, filed into the cafe Tuesday hand-in-hand to attend a reception honoring their artwork. As the children weaved through the tables of The Buzz, college students glanced up from their studies to see the young faces.
Megan Wheeler, lead teacher of the EMU Toddler Program, said her favorite part of teaching is having the chance to watch the children grow.
“They start using small motor skills, like little squiggles,” she said. “It’s really fun.”
Wheeler also said she enjoys the growth of the young artists.
“It’s like a sudden transformation, they just begin writing,” she said.
Child Care Coordinator Dennis Reynolds began the reception by welcoming the children.
“Who are the artists here?”
One by one the children raised their hands, smiling proudly. “I want to thank all of you for making this beautiful work,” he said.
Next the artists were led through The Buzz to see all of the displayed art. The largest drawing, one of a green dragon, is named Hot Breath and was created by 5-year-old Corin Lockery.
“There is a guy trying to see if she has any fleas,” he said, cupping his hands around his eyes as if holding binoculars. “When she’s sleeping, the fleas crawl all over her.”
As he described his dragon, drawn using a green marker, Corin suddenly gasped and said, “Oops! I made a mistake.”
He pointed to his drawing where he had written “momy” and drawn an arrow pointing to the dragon.
“I’m supposed to write ‘mommy’,” he said.
Two other young artists, Emma, 5, and William, 2, were accompanied by their mother, Sue Willis. Having been involved with the University’s child care services for three years, Willis is pleased with the program.
“I love it,” she said. “The teachers are amazing and they respond to the developmental stages that the kids are at. It’s very engaging.”
Erica Munson, an employee at The Buzz, said she has enjoyed the change in scenery around the cafe.
“I always like the art work in here because it’s neat visual stimulation,” she said. “We get the full range of artists in here, and this is the most precious thing I’ve seen.”