Today I want to share a great TED Talk with you. The title caught my attention; GRIT: The power of passion and perseverance, by Angela Duckworth. After listening, I’m convinced we’ve got to pay a lot more attention to Grit as a quality we want our kids develop.
Take a look at what Young Rembrandts’s franchisee in Michigan has to say about the difference she is making in her community. “What we do is so valuable, because the curriculum is fantastic for kids. I really enjoy being able to give kids the ability to learn new art skills since many schools have begun to take it out of the curriculum. It’s just a great way to put art back in their lives.”
Our grandson went to first grade in a very ‘desirable’ school. Unlike some other schools in the area, they still had art, music, library and gym class. Turns out the school and the district were very test score, worksheet, drill, drill, drill focused and, it was a hard year for everyone involved. When he moved the next year, I prayed he’d get a teacher that understood him. A teacher with a heart to help him feel safe and teach him in ways he could learn. Thankfully, we got that teacher and so much more.
Young Rembrandts classes can help children who may have difficulty in traditional classroom settings by allowing them to participate without the pressures of socializing and giving them steps to follow. Look at the positive impact Young Rembrandts classes have had on this student with an autism spectrum disorder as written by his instructors.
I want to take a moment to thank all the mothers out there in the world for all the hard work and sacrifices they have made for their children. In addition to all the things you have sacrificed, I want to celebrate the things you haven’t.
How do we make the most of summer? How do we plug the drain and make gains, especially for our right brain visual kids? The key is to make learning hands on, make it visual, add lots of art and time to create and above all – make it FUN.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the change I’ve seen in my grandson since computer time had increased. He had what we all thought were healthy boundaries and he could be creative in the games he was playing. But even with those considerations, he was becoming more and more obsessed with the characters and the games.
Art, drawing in particular, encourages creativity, fine motor development, attention to detail and improve hand eye coordination. Look at the positive impact Young Rembrandts classes have had on this preschooler as written by her mother.
We are constantly talking about what a huge impact the arts have on our children’s development and self esteem. Look at how Young Rembrandts classes have helped this student in all areas of her life, written in her own words.
This is exactly the kind of class visual kids need! They’re smart. They can do the work, but as visual learners in a left-brain education system many of them are underperforming. This class would provide the help and encouragement visual kids need.
