Preschool

Problem:

Young children require ample learning in and through the arts.  The regional Head Start programs were not able to offer professional artists in their current program due to financial constraints.   neuroLEARN designed an 8 lesson program for three and four year old children employing professional artists to work in integrated lessons based on storytelling and received grants to fund the program through partnerships with regional arts organizations (Broadway Theatre of Northeastern PA and Ballet Theatre of Scranton).

The young children at Head Start Luzerne County receive 64 classes in dance, music, theatre and poetry from professional PCA artists.  The classes are integrated, and children will learn about social studies and geography through the arts with a focus on diversity and inclusion.  World Travelers will culminate in a theatrical production where children (most of whom are economically disadvantaged) will experience a theatrical production.  We will assist children in learning about their world, the arts, their identities and to enjoy theatre.  A session includes all the substantive areas of an arts lesson, art making, historical context, aesthetic, and critique.  Young children will travel the continents with artists who will tell stories of our world through making arts.  Children will experience all the arts while enjoying learning about the world through cultural storytelling.  Additionally, all the children, their families and teachers will attend the production as the culminating activity.  The lessons were part of the standards-based units and are  aligned to the PA Early Learning Standards to the Arts and Humanities Standards.  Each lesson is designed to teach specific Early Learning objectives.