5 Steps to Developing a Successful Mini Atelier In Public School A Reggio Inspired Program

A Learning Series On Creating A 

Reggio Inspired Mini-Atelier 

“…The Atelier had to be a place for the individual (or collaborations) exploration of projects…a place for researching motivations and theories of children from scribbles on up, a place for exploring variations in tools, techniques, and materials with which to work.”

Richland Academy

1. Set aside a dedicated space in your classroom near natural light and if possible a sink. Plan for the space to grow as you acquire more materials. I use 25% of my room space for the atelier.


2. Plan for lots of storage and decide what will be available for the children. As they learn to use the materials they will transition to more access.


3. Choose your containers so that the children are able to easily see carry and use the materials. For example, I use small cardboard fruit containers from the grocery store, glass jars and for larger collections, like in the above photo, foil pans.


4. Plan for clean-up. For example have a tub in the sink for soaking paint brushes, use a drop clothe or trays for individual work.


5. Set a class resource budget and time line for quality materials. Make sure that you let families, friends and colleagues know what you are looking for. For example, the first year I purchased standard materials like scissors, crayons, markers and pencils and did the Beautiful Stuff Program. The second year I added water colour paint and brushes and the third year and a friend donated small baby food jars, I purchased chalk pastels and a huge collection of beads. Last year I introduced clay and this year I am dedicating a table, storage cart and purchasing tools for cutting, carving and shaping clay.

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       Must Have Materials For A New Mini-Artelier