A New Muse for Tiny Picassos

Light spills over a jumble of finger paints, books, and stuffed animals. Bits of tree bark rest curiously on one of the tables, next to squares of paper. A big brown teddy bear sits slumped over in a comfortable-looking rocking chair, waiting for the next wave of students to come. Off to the side is a cardboard house.

“We just finished the house,” said Judy Sims, the founder and director of the Creative Learning Center (CLC). “But it isn’t done. It needs to be painted. We may do another one, depending on the children’s reactions.”

The construction of the cardboard box house exemplifies the learning approach the CLC embraces: the house was created by students, who explored the various points of buttresses needed for a sound construction design while under the guidance of Sims and her staff—the cognitive, real-world approach. When the house is painted, children will be participating as artists, showing their creative side.

“We incorporate the cogitative and the creative,” said Sims. “It’s a very hands-on program.”

The Creative Learning Center, the Gilbert & Bennett Community Cultural Center (G&B Center) at 49 New Street in Georgetown, offers a unique approach to learning for Fairfield County kids. Sims and her staff introduce children to all kinds of art forms, including architectural structure and flora identification.

Children at the new school are seen, on one level, as little “nature-scientists” who should be tasked to “observer, investigate and think about how everyday things work,” according to the CLC’s website, creativelearningchildren.org.

To further illustrate this point, children collected scattered bark of a tree that had been stripped during one of this winter’s tumultuous storms. The little scientist took magnifying glasses to the bark and pored over reference materials, finally identifying it as a dogwood tree. Finally, the kids will paint the bark as a still life.

“I love discovering a child’s passion,” said Sims.

“During the first hour a child arrives, it’s important to really greet the child and to be with the child,” said Sims. Then the curious kid goes on an exploratory tour, sampling the various play things and activities.

“A teacher models an activity, depending on what [activity] they want,” said Sims.

Programs are modeled after a child’s interest, said Sims.

The school aims to have about 12 to 15 students per class, headed by two teachers and possibly an assistant. Currently there is a “young threes” program which began at the beginning of February. The school is enrolling 3- and 4-year-old children for next year, as well as a pre-kindergarten program for children not in kindergarten but are of kindergarten age.

“I love working with a child, being in the moment with that child and talking, and working with that child, and also with the staff, to make that child be the best he or she can be,” said Sims.

“The parents, too, are important; they are very involved in the program here,” she said.

The staff of the CLC is “extremely well-educated and trained,” according to Sims. The eight-person staff, including Sims, has teachers from a myriad of backgrounds.

“Sue Daly teaches pre-reading, creative writing, Spanish, sign language and the wonder of discovery. Julie Gorman is our artist and encourages children to think creatively. Mary Beth Cooke has a background in special education and fosters children to be capable decision-makers. Alexis Bennett is our resident designer. Kris Correard is our marketing specialist and administrative assistant. Colleen Ruiz is our movement and gym teacher. Rita Treglia is our substitute teacher,” wrote Sims in an email to Patch. Sims is a practicing watercolor artist with a background in early childhood education.

“We know each other through working together, through working in children’s advocacy,” said Sims.

Sims brought together her team of educators for a look at the G&B Center, who were “thrilled with the space” available for the school, said Sims.

Community Spirit

“Pat Hegnauer, the Director of the G&B Center, worked closely with us, helping assemble furniture and he also donated many art supplies,” explained Judy.

“Christopher Curnan, a Connecticut painter, sculptor, photographer and resident artist at the G&B Center helped us construct bases for our tables," she said. "Two families donated their living room rugs to us and grandparents from Wilton and parents from Bethel donated [to] our state-of-the-art block building center."

The CLC has seen the benefits of a “truly supporting community” which fosters young children’s education.

The G&B Center also has resident artists and musicians who work throughout the week, allowing for the children to peek in on an adult art class or contemplate their next project while listening to fine music floating through the air. The sense of community inside and around the CLC seems to be burgeoning.

As of now, the CLC may be Georgetown’s inchoate, best-kept secret that’s itching to act the muse for young souls.

Tuition to the CLC varies on the age of the child and how many days per week they wish to attend. Sims can be reached for details at 203-942-0535.