As a preschool art teacher and mother of two, Meri’s life is all tinkering, all the time. She calls herself a, “Reggio inspired atelierista (art teacher),” and she has watched the hands-on experience of the Reggio Emilia approach benefit her daughters, almost 3 and 4, as well as her students.
Meri’s blog, Meri Cherry and yes that’s her real name, is all about bringing families together and inspiring them to incorporate, “process-based art into their lives.” She has seen first hand how tinkering, “creates problem solvers, fosters creativity and builds confidence. Plus, it's really fun and the possibilities are limitless.”
If you want to tinker like Meri, it isn’t about creating elaborate craft projects that break the bank. It’s about engaging projects for the whole fam. Parents who are on a budget or who have just discovered tinkering can start small. With tinkering trays, “you can easily fill an egg carton with cool supplies like sticks, pinecones, and toothpicks, add a box of recycled materials like toilet paper rolls with some tape or string and let the tinkering begin,” Meri says.
Online: mericherry.com
Photo: Morgan Pansing
