Children’s Art Centre Brain Building at the Blackstone Innovation School

by Melissa Buckley, Children's Art Centre Coordinator

This past year, the Children’s Art Centre (CAC) had the exciting opportunity to bring the Arts in Early Learning In-School Residency program to the Blackstone Innovation School, providing integrated arts-based curriculum to seven early childhood classrooms.

The CAC Arts in Early Learning curriculum is tailored to integrate the BPS early childhood curriculum and engage students in sensory-based learning that supports all areas of development. A child’s early years are particularly crucial for developing self-regulation, problem solving, literacy and communication, and social skills as brain connections are made and reinforced.

The arts provide opportunities for learning that allow children to experience the world and classroom content in ways that reinforce memory making and critical thinking. Throughout the year, teachers have noticed students incorporating art vocabulary and more visually-orientated ways of thinking about and describing their world.

Through support from the BPS Arts Expansion Fund, the CAC provides materials that allow teachers to explore different techniques and materials in a way that aligns with their classroom content and curriculum.

At the Blackstone Innovation School, students and teachers are introduced to routines that integrate dramatic storytelling, music, and movement. They explore process-based art making to encourage risk taking, collaboration, and decision-making.

The CAC and other Blackstone Innovation School partners are excited to invite you to a year-end celebration of the arts on June 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm in the Blackstone Innovation School cafeteria. Student artwork from the Arts in Early Learning residency will be displayed alongside art from other grades. Music performances will take place throughout the evening. All are invited to celebrate a successful year of collaboration and art making!

Thank you BPS Arts Expansion Fund for making this partnership possible!