The more fun an experience is, the more a child will engage; the more a child engages, the more he will learn. It is as simple as that. So my method is to make the experience a joyful one, be that in the content of the work or the manner of execution or both.

Autonomy is the key to true development of knowledge and skill. The more a child is empowered in the learning, the more she will engage; the more she engages, the more she will learn. So my method includes empowering, through continued confidence building and enthusiasm, the child to take ownership of her learning. The less I am needed, the better.

I have broken the learning down into clear stages, steps, tools and techniques; if at any point a child feels that these are not being presented clearly, he will be imbued with the confidence to challenge me, and I will find another way. If a child lacks clarity, even on a small point, confidence can be rocked and learning affected. However complex or potentially challenging, everything must be crystal clear, and feel joyfully simple.

Just as a painter learns the form, even if he is to break it later for effect, so one must learn the form of each discipline. I teach the techniques, where appropriate through study of the masters, so that they can be used or discarded with confidence.

By creating a safe, fun, inspired environment, putting tools and techniques at their disposal, and empowering them to take chances and follow innovative creativity, I give my students the opportunity to play, express, create, and ultimately find their individual voices; they never cease to awe me with the results.