Crib Notes
Quick Links

Find us on Facebook
In This Issue
Artist Residency
Meet Mr. Bill

Facebook Fan of the Month

 

Congratulations to January's Facebook Fan of the Month - Heather Shepherd Klucar.  Heather won an LVCC long-sleeved tee.  You could be next in line to win some LVCC swag - Become a Fan Today!

 

Our preschool project with the Da Vinci Science Center is featured on the PA Promise for Children Website. 

 

 

Check it out!

We {Heart} Art! 

Dear Friends,
 
There are so many reasons that we love art!
  Through art, children exercise their imagination and creativity.  They also develop language and literacy skills, fine motor skills (using a crayon is great practice for writing), and science & math skills (think of mixing colors!).  Children learn self-expression and develop self-esteem and confidence.  They learn to work together and develop social skills, like sharing, taking turns and appreciating one another's work.  

 

ArtAccording to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, studies have shown a significant correlation among arts education, development, and achievement.  Skills developed through the arts include the abilities to
 

  • observe accurately;
  • think spatially and kinesthetically;
  • identify the essential components of a complex whole;
  • recognize and invent patterns;
  • gain empathy with objects of study; and
  • synthesize and communicate the results of one's thinking, visually, verbally or mathematically.
     

That's right, mathematically!  The arts are able to enrich learning in all subject areas - including math.  According to University of Colorado math professor Carla Farsi, "...art is not only about emotion, color and aesthetics, but also about rhythm, patterns and problem solving." 

 

In this edition of CRIB NOTES, we call attention to LVCC's partnership with the Allentown Art Museum which brings Inspire! Artist Residencies into our classrooms to enrich learning across the curriculum.  Below, you'll also find a short interview with LVCC's current artist-in-residence, Bill Christine -- an accomplished artist and an inspirational teacher.

 

Artist Residency
An artist residency is a substantial period of time in which a visual or performing artist works intensively with teachers and groups of students on a long term projects.  The artist's role is that of mentor, facilitator and technical advisor on important artistic concepts and skills.  Over the course of a residency, children explore their creativity using an array of art media. 

 

Mr. Bill 1
Artist-in-Residence Bill Christine illustrates a story with students at LVCC at St. Luke's.

Bethlehem-based painter Bill Christine has completed residencies at LVCC's Campus Center, Fowler Center, and LVCC on Union Blvd.  This winter, he joins the preschool classes at our center at St. Luke's (Bethlehem) for 15-weeks. "Mr. Bill," as the children call him, is primarily a visual artist, but he infuses music, dance and interactive storytelling into every session with our students.   

 

A typical session with Mr. Bill begins with improvisational songs on guitar.  Children and staff enjoy clapping, singing and dancing along with the music.  Class discussions afford the children a chance to offer ideas and help Mr. Bill set goals for the day.  Throughout the morning, children work on individual or group visual art projects and play at classroom activity stations.  After clean-up, Mr. Bill assists the classroom teacher during circle time, encouraging the children to talk about that day's art activities.  Each day, Mr. Bill sits at a table with several children to produce an original story.  By asking simple questions such as "What happened next?" and "How did he get there?" the children develop a fun, collaborative story.  Mr. Bill adds lively illustrations as the story unfolds.  The entire class gathers to hear Mr. Bill retell the story that their peers created.  The story pages are then compiled into a book that is placed in the classroom's library.

 

This project is made possible through the Arts in Education Partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency. It is funded by the citizens of Pennsylvania through annual legislative appropriation, and administered locally by the Allentown Art Museum. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Matching funds for this residency are provided through a grant from the LEGO Children's Fund.


More photos are available on LVCC's Facebook Page.

Meet Mr. Bill
An Interview with Bill Christine
 
Q:  I know you've done some great art projects at LVCC centers. What were some of your favorite projects and why?

 

Mr. Bill 2A:  I completed a mural and mosaic at LVCC's Campus Center.  I liked the mosaic because it included work by the staff, as well as the children, so it was a large community effort. (Editor's Note: Visit LVCC on YouTube to see WFMZ's coverage of the mosaic unveiling).
 
 

At two sites (Union Blvd & Fowler Center), we made illustrated alphabets which I enjoyed because students used a wide variety of skills, including drawing, painting, paper cutting and collage.  They also used their language skills to think of words that started with each letter.

 

Q:  What do you find enjoyable about working with this age group?

 

A:  Three to five year olds work across all subject areas as they learn about their world and as they learn to express themselves. For them, art, music, drama, science and math can all be part of exploring the world.  This openness to creation and learning is very exciting to me.

 

Q:  What do you hope children will take away from your time together?

 

A:  I hope that the work I do with children gives them the confidence to know they can find creative solutions to life's problems.

 

Q:  Do you have any advice for families who want to introduce children to art either at home or in their community? 

 

A:  The simplest materials - paper, markers, tape, and crayons are fine.  Spend time listening to their wonderful, creative ideas.  Go to see live theater and music. Listen to the wonderful ideas of your children and try to help them bring their ideas to life by building, drawing, coloring, and acting out their ideas.

Lehigh Valley Children's Centers provides highly effective early education and child care to promote healthy child development, meet the needs of families, and encourage children to discover the joy of learning.

LVCConline.org