Challenging with Creativity – VP of Curriculum Dee McDonald
Many times, a child’s creativity is defined by simplistic activities, such as painting or playing with clay.
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Artistic Assistance
A recent publication by the non-profit organization Americans for the Arts entitled “Arts Education Navigator” documents two truths about arts in education.
The first truth detailed in the publication is about the great benefits that students receive if they have a high level of involvement in the Arts as part of their education.
Are We Having Fun Yet?
“The highest-level executive thinking, making of connections, and “aha” moments are more likely to occur in an atmosphere of “exuberant discovery,” where students of all ages retain that kindergarten enthusiasm of embracing each day with the joy of learning.”
– An excerpt from Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher by Judy Willis (2006)
Learning should be fun, but traditional education sometimes doesn’t view it that way. Valerie Strauss is the mind behind “The Answer Sheet”, an educational blog in The Washington Post that discussed “Why fun is important in learning”. Judy Willis’ excerpt made an appearance in the blog post, along with other sources that support the idea of making learning an exciting experience helps information processing and long-term memory.
Baby’s Beats
There has been research done on the benefits of playing classical music for young children, even for children in-utero. This is called the “Mozart effect”. Although some evidence of this effect is controversial, there have been findings in the past year that even further support music for children.
Read more >Spencer Learns Sports
Want to know about the latest FasTracKids programs being offered for children around the globe? Look no further, it’s all right here!
FALL 2010: FasTrack Camps adds the Spencer Learns Sports Program
Parents that want to see their kids participating in fun, interactive educational activities can look forward to FasTrack Camps. FasTrack Camps are offered as several exciting short programs that vary in length from one day to one week.
Since September 2010, children have enjoyed discovering new sports and exercises with Spencer Bunny. Spencer’s friends help engage a child’s imagination while teaching both Spencer and the class all about sports played around the world.
Each day of this action packed week features several sports, including:
Speech, Drama and Art
The months of September and October are energizing as children participate in the subject of Speech, Drama and Art. Drama takes on a different meaning in the FastracKids world, where expanding a child’s imagination can produce wonderful ideas. Our students are challenged in every lesson to be creative and express themselves. When we decide to focus on drama, our children excel in both participation and recognition of the subject.
Read more >Ready Set Travel II
Development News!
Want to know about the latest FasTracKids programs being offered for kids around the globe? Look no further, it’s all right here!
SUMMER 2010: FasTrack Camps adds Ready Set Travel II Program
This summer, parents who would like to see their children participate in fun and educational activities can look to FasTrack Camps. FasTrack Camps offers several exciting short programs that vary in length from one day to one week.
In the “Ready Set Travel” camp, students explore various countries of the world with local children acting as guides. As of June 2010, FasTrack Travelers now have four more countries to visit with the addition of “Ready Set Travel II”.