01/24/12 - Early Learning Centers add musical and artistic pieces to their playgrounds

The sights and sounds coming from the playgrounds of the Early Learning Centers might be a little more vibrant and expressive this year.

For the 2011-2012 school year, both Early Learning Centers added outdoor art easels and various musical pieces to their playground equipment. According to Gayle Coleman, director of the Early Learning Center-Downtown, the new additions are meant to encourage peer interaction and give the children ways to express themselves through art and music.  The Siskin Engagement Classroom Model has a strong arts component because the arts are crucial for children's literacy, math skills and analytical skills development.

The implementation of the musical pieces at both ELCs and the art easels at ELC-DT was made possible by a grant from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The art easels at ELC-EB were provided by the Kiwanis Club of Brainerd.