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....
I’m five and I really love kindergarten because every day feels like opening a brand-new present. There’s art time and story time and puzzle time and play time… and sometimes everything-all-at-once time. I’m always moving, always imagining, always ready to make something colorful.
I speak English and Spanish, so sometimes I say things like “Look!” and sometimes I say “¡Mira!” and sometimes both, because it’s fun to switch.
My classroom feels like my own little world — a place where I can learn, create, and be myself. And because I have diabetes, it’s also a place where I need to know I can get to my snacks or my supplies fast if I feel funny inside. But I’m brave, and I know my teacher is there for me.
Here’s what school looks like through my eyes.
MEET MY FRIENDS
Sitting still is… hard.
Not because I don’t want to, but because my body loves to wiggle while my brain learns new things.
I love my wobble stool and soft cubes because I can rock and move a little while I draw or play. It makes my body feel good. Sometimes I sit on a cushion on the floor, especially when we’re doing dramatic play and I’m pretending to be a chef or a superhero or a mamá taking care of her baby doll.
I learn with my hands.
I learn with my friends.
I learn with my imagination.
That’s how my brain works.
My favorite tables are the kid-sized mobile ones that my teacher can roll anywhere. Sometimes they’re for drawing. Sometimes for puzzles. Sometimes my friend Sofía sits next to me, and we make rainbow patterns together.
Round tables make me feel included, like we’re all together.
Rectangle tables help me focus when I need my own space.
And everything is at my height, so I can get what I need without asking for help every time.
I love when things are labeled with words and pictures and Spanish:
rojo – red
azul – blue
uno – one
libros – books
It helps me understand faster, and it helps me feel proud of the languages in my brain.
The shelves are low, and the bins have pictures and words, so I can put things away all by myself. That makes me feel big and responsible.
My favorite spot is the art station with the easel and all the crayons and the paint tubs.
Sometimes I make a picture of my family.
Sometimes I make pretend oceans.
Sometimes I just make swirls that look like candy.
The sensory bins are fun too — I like scooping and pouring and feeling things with my hands. It’s like telling a story without words.
When my body feels too busy or my feelings get really big, I go to the cozy nook. There’s a soft chair and pillows and sometimes a little tent. I can breathe there. I can think there. I can read a book with my stuffed bunny.
It’s my quiet place.
My classroom has a movement rug with rockers and Pixels (the little seats that stack!). This is where I get to jump, wiggle, and stretch my energy in a good way.
When I move, my brain smiles.
When I stop moving, I’m ready to learn again.
I wear a little medical device on my body. It helps me stay healthy.
Sometimes I need a break to check it.
Sometimes I need a snack.
Sometimes I need to sit down and breathe.
My classroom has a special cubby just for me with my picture on it. Inside are my supplies and snacks, and it’s low enough that I can open it by myself if I need to.
I like knowing it’s close.
It makes me feel safe.
And when I feel safe, I can be brave.
When the furniture moves, I can move.
When the shelves are low, I can choose.
When the room has cozy spots, I can take care of my feelings.
When things are labeled in English and Spanish, I feel smart in both languages.
When my diabetes supplies are easy to reach, I feel strong and confident.
My classroom isn’t just a room.
It’s a place where I get to be curious, colorful, busy, silly, focused, brave, and me.
This is what my day looks like through my eyes.