Nancy Langan, Director, Arts Education and Community Development
 
 

Psychologists and educators have long recognized the impact of early experiences on a child's intellectual and emotional development. Now, through technological advances, neuroscientists are providing hard evidence that connective pathways in the brain are actually created by repeated early experiences. Scientists are viewing brain activity through neuro scans and other technology --revealing that the experiences that fill a baby's first three years build neuro-circuitry in the brain influencing how a child does in school, relationships and in society as a whole.

This new knowledge of how the young brain is "wired" and how we can provide experiences to maximize the potential of our children has inspired recent TIME Magazine and Newsweek special issues, TV programs and the "I AmYour Child" campaign all on this topic. In April, First Lady Hillary Clinton convened a White House Conference on Early Childhood and Learning. And President Clinton has budgeted increased funding to strengthen and expand programs such as Early Head Start, Head Start and the America Reads Challenge to energize the nation's commitment to give our children opportunities for later successes in school, work and community.

In light of this new research, a child's early engagement in singing, music, art activities, storytelling and movement has even more significance because these experiences can help create unique brain connections that will have long term impact on that youngster's life. Certainly there is a window of opportunity for state arts agencies, local arts agencies and arts organizations to utilize the excitement about early childhood development. This new brain research can provide more credibility arts education and its role in early childhood learning, and youth and family services. The following are activities at the national, state and local level, which are capitalizing on this changed environment.

At the national level, Americans for the Arts, the Goals 2000 Partnership and the arts community is proactively bringing a strong collective voice to inform these early childhood initiatives and strategies. Evidence of this was seen at the U.S. Department of Education June Satellite Town Meeting on early learning, where Secretary Riley specifically discussed the important role of the arts in reading and developing a child's potential. Additionally the Department is disseminating information on arts and reading program models. And in the recent White House Conference on early childhood learning, University of Wisconsin Professor Francis Raucher's research on the connection between music education and the development of spacial intelligence in preschoolers was featured.

In Connecticut, the Connecticut Alliance for Arts Education (CAAE) is taking a leadership role in responding to their state's June, 1997 passage of the School Readiness Bill, a bill which makes early childhood education a top state priority. The CAAE has developed a public outreach project to mobilize policymakers, educational leaders, funders and preschool professionals to reexamine the critical role of the arts in school readiness programs and prioritize resources to incorporate the arts. This year's CAAE's annual conference, to be held at the state Legislative Office building is entitled "The Arts and Early Learning". To bring visibility to this issue, the Alliance is producing a booklet, audio tape, and a series of radio reports to be aired on Connecticut Public Radio, all focusing on recent brain research and the importance of music, dance, creative dramatics, and the visual arts in early childhood development.

On a local level, Maryland's Prince George's Arts Council in partnership with a school district developed the Family Arts Center to provide arts programs for Head Start, Even Start students and their parents. Through artists residencies, professional development for teachers, and early childhood art sessions this initiative is helping children be more prepared for school, one of this community's educational priorities. In addition to the day programs, there are after school and evening programs and resources available for staff, children and families, and teen parenting and child development classes use the facilities.

With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Vermont Head Start Arts Partnership is helping the arts take their rightful place as a major factor in creating developmental advantages for high-need children. Begun in 1993, this collaborative effort of six local arts agencies, professional artists, and four regional Head Start programs, is helping staff and parents use arts activities and understand their value in encouraging intellectual and social development.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has been a leader in training early childhood professionals in the use of performing arts activities to help young children develop the skills they need to learn and engage fully in school. Using music, dance, storytelling and creative dramatics, artists and early childhood educators work together to design and implement new teaching strategies. Parent involvement activities are an important aspect of this national model that has nine regional programs including one in Memphis sponsored by the Memphis Arts Council.

Resources:

"Starting Points", a landmark report on the current crisis that jeopardizes our children's healthy development, with recommendations and strategies for creating vital starting points for our youngest children and their families. Copies available for $10.00 from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, 212.371.3200.

"Your Child from Birth to Three", Newsweek Spring/Summer 1997 Special Edition on how the young brain grows and functions and what parents need to know to maximize their child's emotional, intellectual and social development. Discusses the role of music and early childhood development. To obtain a copy call 1.800.631.1040

"How A Child's Brain Develops", TIME magazine February 3, 1997 Special Report on research that provides new convincing evidence about the brain connections that develop in the first three years of life. Copies are no long available from TIME. Your local library is the best resource.

"I Am Your Child", a national public awareness campaign to make early childhood development a top priority for our nation. The campaign founded by Rob Reiner was launched this spring with a nationally broadcast program that explains the incredible growth and development that takes place in the brain during the first three years of life and specific things parents and caregivers can do to help foster healthy brain development during this critical period. A video of the broadcast, a CD-ROM resource guide and a brochure, The First Years Last Forever are available through the campaign toll free number 1.800.447.3400.

"Bringing Up Baby", a special series on early childhood development aired on "NBC's Today Show" and included a segment on music and intellectual development. The series is available on video for $29.95 (800) 420-2626.

White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning: What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children. The April 1997 conference focused on recent finding about how children develop from the earliest years, and explored implications for parents, educators and policy makers. Effective model programs supporting parents and enhancing early childhood development were featured at the convening. Report available by calling 202.456.2960.

Start with the Arts, a Very Special Arts (VSA) program that immerses children in arts related activities for reading and school readiness. The program provides curriculum materials and training for educators. VSA affiliates including VSA New Hampshire, Maine and Montana are using Start with the Arts materials and Tips for Parents to assist teachers and parents in integrating visual arts, movement, music and poetry into reading activities at home and school. To obtain materials or for more information contact Very Special Arts at 800.933.8721.

For additional resources and information about arts and reading, early childhood and parent involvement program models developed across the country; updates on the America Reads Challenge and the President Clinton's planned budget increases to strengthen and expand early childhood programs; and other arts education topics, contact Americans for the Arts at 202.371.2830.