At Mary Johnson Children’s Center, we believe in the power of experiences that engage children deeply, sparking wonder and exploration. One such experience that has captivated both children and teachers is needle felting, an artistic and sensory-rich activity that nurtures development across multiple domains.

If you’ve ever watched a child press soft wool between their fingers, carefully poking it with a felting needle, you know the magic of this process. In our preschool classrooms, needle felting has become an unexpected yet profoundly meaningful practice. What may seem like a simple art activity is actually a powerful tool for fine motor development, focus, creativity, and emotional regulation.

At first, needle felting may seem too delicate or intricate for young children, but when introduced thoughtfully, it becomes an accessible and rewarding experience. Teachers guide children through the process — selecting wool, shaping it with their hands, and using special felting needles to bond the fibers together. The repetitive motion of poking the wool requires concentration and precision, strengthening small hand muscles that are essential for writing and other fine motor skills.

Beyond the physical skills, needle felting engages children emotionally and socially. The rhythmic movement of the needle can be soothing, offering children a way to find focus and calm. The process also encourages patience — there is no instant result in felting; the wool transforms gradually, teaching children about perseverance and the beauty of slow, intentional work.

Collaboration often unfolds naturally in our classrooms as children share ideas, pass along colors of wool, or admire each other’s work. “Look at mine!” one child exclaims, holding up a felted Stegosaurus. Another carefully observes a friend’s process, inspired to try something new. These moments foster language development, social connections, and confidence in self-expression.

At MJCC, our commitment to elevating early education extends beyond the classroom. With 57% of our classroom teachers assigned to a room and 52% of educators across all sites actively pursuing higher education or professional credentials, we are thrilled to see so many of our team members deepening their knowledge and growing in their profession. Additionally, four teachers from our three sites will travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy, this May to study the Reggio approach firsthand — an opportunity that will bring fresh inspiration and innovative practices back to Vermont.

The impact of Act 76 has been transformative, providing critical support to children, families, and educators in our community. This investment in early childhood education ensures that more educators have access to the resources and opportunities needed to advance their skills, ultimately enriching the experiences of the young learners in our care. Just as children explore and transform wool into something new, we as educators continue to evolve, shaping the future of early childhood education with passion and purpose.

In the end, early education is about more than academic readiness — it is about nurturing a child’s natural curiosity, creativity, and sense of wonder. As Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, reminds us, “Our task, regarding creativity, is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible.” Whether through the tactile exploration of needle felting or the dynamic exchange of ideas between educators, we are building something lasting: a strong, inspired foundation that honors the hundred languages of children and empowers them to construct knowledge through meaningful experiences.