Fine Arts & Extracurriculars Articles

Listening to podcasts supports learning in many ways because unlike virtually every other online resource that is visual in nature, podcasts strengthen imagination, listening comprehension and ultimately, language skills. Join us as we discuss our favorite podcasts for kids! 

From Mexico’s Día de Los Muertos to China’s Teng Chieh Lantern Festival, cultures around the world commonly recognize a celebration in honor of the dead. In America, that holiday is best known as Halloween, and while it’s not a federally recognized holiday that results in a day off from school, it is a much-loved celebration that both kids and adults look forward to during the entire month of October.  

Like many holidays, Halloween has evolved from ancient pagan customs, with this one originating in Ireland long ago. Samhain was a Gaelic religious festival that celebrated the end of the harvest season and to mark the beginning of winter.  

Spring is considered to be a time of rebirth. Days become longer, spring flowers start to flourish, days get warmer. We want to congratulate everyone on the calendar start of spring and mention some amusing activities you may participate in after long and cold winter. In this short article, you will find some spring-related worksheets to keep your child's mind busy with learning new concepts!

This year, President’s Day is on February 20st, and it’s quite possible that you and your family don’t have any plans to celebrate. As it turns out, this federal holiday is one of a few across the calendar that lacks in popularity and consistency. In fact, there is some confusion as to what this holiday celebrates as the government also calls it Washington’s Birthday. Instead of letting another President’s Day go by unnoticed, teach your child about its rich history and significance. Keep reading to learn more about the origin of this important holiday and find ways to celebrate with your children!

Even before babies can pick up or hold a paintbrush, most children love making artwork using their hands. One important way kids explore and learn about the world around them is through their artwork. Veteran parents, educators, and even therapists will expound on way in which the youngest of artists utilize their imaginations and develop creativity by using paints and sometimes shaving cream or the food on their plates to experiment with textures, colors, and images.

Mamas and papas out there, I know it can be really tricky to get anything done at home with a toddler on the loose, be it work, chores, or simply taking a 10-minute break to read an article. Don't lose hope just yet! We have a secret recipe for you that gives you the break you need without having to involve screen time. Toddlers LOVE messy play, and what better messy substance to offer other than goopy, slimy, endlessly fun Oobleck! In this article, you’ll be introduced to what oobleck is, in addition to three ways you can incorporate it in your kid's play.

It’s the holiday season once again, which means that the kids are looking forward to a couple weeks of fun away from school. Even so, it’s still important to keep their skills sharp, but there’s no reason they can’t have some festive fun with activities that mix in just a little bit of learning, too! Read this article to find four fantastically festive holiday learning activities to keep your children busy this winter break!

Could your child be bilingual? Music is often referred to as the universal language. As parents, we try to provide opportunities to a wide variety of activities that stimulate cognitive brainwork, like engaging in music-related activities. Getting musical brings your child the following benefits. Read more to find out which ones.

A study called ‘Arts-based educational research in the early years’ conducted by Georgina Barton at Griffith University, Australia, found that creative activities and artistic development are the precursors to literacy and are often the way in which younger children make sense of themself and the world around them. Read this article to find out more how to develop the creative expression of your children.

As parents and teachers, we often get so focused on teaching kids the basics, that we forget that the fine arts are an integral part of the curriculum. In fact, teaching children about music has the power to enhance skills in other areas, including their academic language skills. Not only is music enjoyable, it helps to develop our kids’ whole self, allowing them to discover and express their own interests, while also supporting their skills in other areas. Read this article to learn more about why music education is an important part of your child’s education, and ways to introduce your little learner to music.