Through Their Eyes: Lily's Story

When we listen to the smallest voices, we often find the biggest ideas.

Let’s meet the children of Through Their Eyes—Artcobell's movement to design learning environments from the perspective of students who use them every day.

Their personas will give you a first-hand perspective on how different learners perceive their surroundings. From the child who thrives when she can move to the one who needs a quiet corner to recharge, to the student who feels empowered when everything is within reach, we uncover opportunities to make environments more inclusive, more adaptable, and more inspiring when we see a classroom "through their eyes."

With this series, we invite you to imagine what education can become. Let's start with Lily whose shy nature and attention to detail gives her an affinity toward visual learning, biology, and a space that feels small and protected, yet not overcrowded.

Hi, I'm Lily.

I’m in second grade. I’m a little shy, so I don’t always say a lot at school — but I see everything.

When I walk into my classroom, the first thing I notice is the way the light falls on my desk, or how the colors on the wall make the room feel calm or busy. I notice tiny things too, like a leaf someone carried in on their shoe, or the way my friend’s pencil has glitter on it that sparkles when she writes.

I like learning best when I can look closely at things like pictures, books, diagrams, real plants, or bugs. I love nature and drawing, and sometimes I like to mix them together and sketch the things I’m studying. My classroom feels different depending on where I am and what we’re doing. Some places help me focus. Some make me feel crowded. Some make me feel brave.

Moving Quietly Helps Me Feel Comfortable

I don’t love making noise when I move around. It makes me feel like people might be looking at me.

My chair with wheels and a little bookrack helps a lot. I can roll quietly from the reading corner to the science table without dragging the chair or bumping into things. I keep my favorite animal book in the back of it, so it comes with me wherever I go.

I like that I can move around without everyone noticing. It makes the classroom feel smaller and safer.

Here's Where I Do My Best Work

When we do science, I like sitting at the table with the really smooth, strong top. Miss P says it doesn’t stain, even if we spill things, which is nice because sometimes experiments get messy.

It’s also perfect for drawing. When I’m trying to sketch a flower or a feather, I like having lots of space to spread out my pencils, my notebook, and whatever we’re studying.

Sometimes we work in groups, and I like when the tables are shaped so we aren’t too close together. When people get too close, I get quiet — not because I don’t have ideas, but because I don’t want to get bumped or squished. Tables that give us space make it easier for me to talk.

I also really like the storage shelf with little trays. I have a tray for my sketchbook and my magnifying glass, and it makes me feel independent. I always know where my things are, and I don’t have to ask a grown-up.

Why I Move from Sit to stand and back

Sometimes my brain feels busy and I want to stand up while I work.
Sometimes I want to sit and curl my feet around the stool rung.
Sometimes I go back and forth — especially when I’m drawing something detailed.

My sit-to-stand desk lets me do all of that without moving to a different place. I can think better when my body can move a little bit.

I also love my markerboard top because I can draw ideas really fast before I forget them. Sometimes it feels easier to think when I can see my thoughts right in front of me.

check out My Quiet Corner

My favorite place in the room is the BookNook.
It’s soft and cozy, and the chairs are just my size. The shelves show the books with their covers facing out, so I can find the ones with animals or forests without pulling everything down.

Sometimes I sit there to read. Sometimes I sketch. Sometimes I just breathe for a minute when the room feels too loud.

It’s my spot. My brain rests there.

How about A Room That Feels Like Nature?

I feel calm when things look like nature. Colors like green or soft brown make me feel like I’m outside, even when I’m in school. When the furniture matches those colors, the whole classroom feels quieter — like a place where I can think.

I like when the room feels like me.

Why My Classroom Matters

I don’t always raise my hand first. I don’t always speak up in a big group.
But I notice things. I care about things. I learn by looking closely and taking my time.

When my classroom helps me move quietly, see clearly, and find my own space to think, something important happens:

I feel confident.
I feel brave.
I feel like my ideas matter — even if I say them softly.

This is what my classroom looks like through my eyes.