Community Corner
Creativity in Bloom: New Programs at St. Paul's Cooperative Preschool
While waiting for the warmth of spring to arrive outside, my heart was warmed, dazzled and inspired by the creativity blossoming this year in my son and his classmates attending St. Paul’s Cooperative Preschool. I’m pleased to report on new programs added to the curriculum which have the kids bopping to a new beat and singing in a new language!
What a week: I thought perhaps there are few things cuter than a preschool art show, an annual event where parents and kids alike beam with pride over the adorable handiwork displayed gallery-style. And then the kids gather together and sing a little concert. For many this was their very first public performance. OK, was that the cutest? I thought so. But then I attended the new enrichment activity this semester, a drum circle for kids! That was a winner! Add to this the new elective Spanish class and the long-standing yoga program and the little minds at school here are bubbling over with ways to express themselves.
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The benefits of learning multiple languages are widely known (and easy to Google) so I’d like to share instead what I’ve learned about the benefits of a music class. There is a lot going on in kids’ brains while participating in music, especially a hands-on class with drums and other percussion instruments. First, it is a great way to blend motor and cognitive skills. Second, listening skills, so important in school, are activated in full force as they must listen to instructions, listen to the music they are creating together and listen to the teacher’s examples so they can repeat and follow. These activities increase pattern recognition and stretch the capacity of the auditory cortex. This equals great brain exercise and also requires impulse control. If you have been around small children, you know why any practice in this area is priceless. You can imagine what the three to five set would like to do with an array of drums, but after some initially wild experimenting, they are directed to specific goals. It is huge for them to focus through the temptation.
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And then there is the hard-to-describe and hard-to-access part of the brain which speaks through music and breathes through yoga. Some call it the sub-conscious, some call it the higher self. I simply look inwards to that bright spark of creativity which demands an outlet in music, art, dance… and it really loved drumming. The drum circle gave it an instant voice and a rare chance to come out and play with others. Adam Kukuk, instructor and drum circle leader (see Deepgrooves.org) brings a wonderful opportunity to the Heights. He hosts drum circles for all ages –and this includes you. It included me and I was surprised by the instant sense of community which emerged amongst the drummers that day. As Mr. Kukuk tells it, “Drums are technically simple, so all ranges of ability can participate. It is easy to make music together, community music, even with three-year-olds.” I love that our children are getting to experience this and getting in touch with their inner spark through the drumming, yoga, singing and art at St. Paul’s. Esto es la verdad! If your goal is to create a culture for your children where personal expression is of great value, you are always welcome to come by and check out St. Paul’s Cooperative Preschool. Please see www.stpaulscooppreschool.com for more information or call 216-932-0002.