Young artists take center stage in Child Development Lab exhibition at Spurlock Museum
What does a preschooler see when they look in the mirror? A new art exhibition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a glimpse into how young children see themselves and the world around them.
Explore Looking Closely: Exploring Self-Portraits, an exhibition featuring original artwork created by preschoolers at the Child Development Lab (CDL) at Illinois. The exhibition showcases work from the lab's Preschool 2 classroom and will be on display at the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, now through Dec. 13.
Spurlock Museum of World Cultures has been working to redefine what it means to center community in its practices, policies, and offerings, all with the goal of transforming Spurlock into a community-focused and collaboration-driven cultural center.
Celebrating its 85th anniversary, the CDL advances early childhood education and research while preparing future professionals to work with children and families. The lab is part of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois.
More than a showcase of budding artistic talent, the exhibition highlights the important role creative expression plays in early childhood development.
“When children create self-portraits, they're doing much more than drawing a picture of themselves,” said Hannah Kye, director of the CDL. “Art is a powerful vehicle for exploring identity, making thinking visible, and constructing knowledge. This exhibition is an invitation to witness the extraordinary curiosity and competence of young children.”
Through this project, the CDL preschoolers practiced careful observation, developed fine motor skills, and built confidence in expressing their ideas. The project also encouraged children to reflect on their individuality while discovering what they have in common with their classmates.
“Creating self-portraits gives children an opportunity to share stories about themselves and discover what makes each of them unique,” said Elizabeth Ewald, head teacher of the CDL’s Preschool 2 classroom. “As they talk about their artwork and explore similarities and differences with their classmates, they're building communication skills, developing empathy, and learning to appreciate one another.”
The exhibition invites visitors to see the world through the eyes of young children and celebrate the learning, discovery, and self-expression reflected in each portrait.
About the Child Development Lab
The Child Development Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is part of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The lab provides high-quality early childhood education while serving as a learning and research environment for university students, faculty, and researchers. Through its integration of education, research, and hands-on learning, the CDL advances understanding of child development and supports the preparation of future professionals working with children and families.