Introduction

While "whole-child" is one of education's hottest buzzwords, it is much more than just a trend. A whole-child approach to education is a mindset that nurtures a child's sense of self through supporting all aspects of child development and extending lessons beyond the curriculum. By incorporating important life skills, such as critical thinking, communication, and self-regulation, we are promoting and sustaining positive relationships with learning.

The pandemic has taken quite a toll on all of us, but particularly our littlest learners. Throughout my first few weeks at Learning Leaf, I noticed the magical spark of early education was missing. This is likely due to restrictions and strict policies set in place to keep our students safe, but I began to wonder at what cost? Although we are facing the same teacher shortages as the rest of the country, we have an obligation to ensure our students receive the education they deserve. As I mentioned earlier, innovation and creativity are key components of transformational educators. With this in mind, I decided to design an experience that connects students with opportunities to foster essential skills through creative expression.

Research

Creative expression is more than simply drawing a picture or building a tower. It is the very essence of education and entails self-discovery, perspective-taking, problem-solving and more. When students are given multiple outlets to harness their creative energy, they are not only engaged, but intrinsically motivated and confident learners (Kids Collective, 2016). Furthermore, children become more involved in traditional academics by learning to focus on the process, rather than the outcome (Nido, n.d.).

Throughout my observations and interactions, it became clear that each child has a wealth of knowledge unique and special to them. When adults take the time to pay attention to those cognitive processes, we become more in tune with not only how our children learn, but ways to challenge and and enrich their understanding of the world (Nido, n.d.; PBS, n.d.). I determined that my goal for this unit was to discover outside opportunities that would expose students and families to diverse resources that utilize and promote creative expression.

I began my application research by consulting with OSSE, DC's state education agency, to ensure we were adhering to safety standards when enlisting these outside organizations. I found that as long as the instructors are employed through reputable institutions that follow licensing procedures, then we are able to utilize them in the classroom. I noticed my students, like most young children, were particularly enthusiastic about music, art and movement. This knowledge guided me to research local organizations that encourage students to take advantage of the many different opportunities available.

• Tunes 4 Tots: Students are intrigued by the ways we can use songs to not only learn and play, but express deep feelings. While classroom songs and instruments are excellent tools for exploration, I wanted to focus on connecting students and families to professionals who can provide rich opportunities for growth and discovery. Tunes 4 Tots is an organization that integrates creative expression with fundamental music concepts through songs, movement, and play. Students experiment with various sounds, textures, and instruments to enhance fine/gross motor skills, self-expression and memory. These classes also use music to help children navigate difficult feelings and provide community and acceptance.

• Shining Kids Yoga: Shining Kids Yoga is a local organization that enriches early education by strengthening young bodies/minds through targeted rituals that place an emphasis on breath, movement and discipline. While yoga is physical exercise that further develops students' flexibility and psychomotor skills, it also supports essential life skills such as concentration, self-regulation, and empathy. Ms. Andrea provides developmentally appropriate classes to reduce anxiety and provide children with the skills necessary to navigate challenging situations and cultivate confidence through expressing themselves in diverse ways.

• Soccer Shots: Soccer Shots is a national program that integrates soccer instruction with character development through engaging, fun and interactive lessons. Soccer Shots places an emphasis on highly trained instructors who utilize developmentally appropriate and responsive techniques while promoting physical activity and teamwork. Their research-based curriculum aligns with early childhood education standards and ensures students are receiving holistic instruction that can be taken advantage of in academics and real-world experiences.

• LL Art Studio: A critical aspect of creative expression is providing an opportunity where students can explore, experiment and reflect on their own. Open-ended creativity celebrates uniqueness and diversity while acting as a catalyst for self-discovery. Ms, Kacey equips each classroom with various tools and mediums for children to engage in artistic expression and play.

Please click here for my reference list.

Scheduling & Communication

An integral part of the planning process was to organize class structures to ensure students are able to get the most out of each activity. Over scheduling can decrease efficiency, create a sense of urgency, and reduce valuable playtime. After consulting with our connections, I devised a plan to give each class one exposure per day to maintain consistency while providing ample time for synthesis and application.

It was also important to rely on our partnership with families to ensure they were actively engaged in the learning environment. Below you will find newsletters and informative fliers sent out to parents. I also created Google Form permission slips in which each parent was able to communicate any areas of interest or concern, as well as expressing whether they'd like their child to participate.

Example Lesson Plans

While both Tunes 4 Tots and Shining Kids Yoga create and implement their own weekly lesson plans, I created examples based on our initial meetings to share with parents so they can take advantage of these unique activities. This also allowed me to discuss specific learning topics that align with current objectives.

Engagement

Tunes 4 Tots:

Early exposure to music provides accelerates brain development by building an association between the brain and body. Young children develop fine and gross motor skills through dance, as well as developing early literacy skills such as sounds, rhyming and meaning. Furthermore, musical experiences can positively impact mathematical development, too. This opportunity gave our students access to professional musicians who integrate the complexity of music with the joy of early childhood.

LL Art Studio:

The art studio, led by a trained teacher and artist, gave students access to a world of rich sensory experiences they may have not otherwise had. By utilizing an instructor with profound art and education experience, children were able to experience cause and effect while learning new concepts, experimenting with design and expressing their unique visions of the world, both independently and collaboratively.

Soccer Shots:

This opportunity not only served as a fun, multidimensional experience, but built community through the values of teamwork and respect. Children learned how to use their bodies to accomplish communal goals and improve mental awareness. The skills learned throughout this opportunity are easily transferrable to the classroom and beyond and will continue to serve our students for years to come.

Yoga:

Yoga is an excellent outlet for young children. It combines physical awareness with mental stability and promotes healthy whole-child development. Our yoga instructor teaches tools that increase classroom community, coordination and imagination through poses such as, tree, happy baby, flower, downward dog and more. The children also learn breathing techniques to utilize throughout the day.

Culminating Project

Due to COVID restrictions, parents are not allowed within the building meaning we needed to use our own creative expression to not only showcase the students' amazing growth, but utilize their newly acquired skills in a relevant way. Utilizing aspects of Project-Based Learning, along with our creative classes, students will work with the Art Studio Teacher to create a living portrait for their families. This project will take place throughout the month of December and be given to families before winter break.

As I reflect on the execution of my Creative Expression unit, I feel a sense of pride in my own creative problem-solving. In a traditional school setting, students have enrichment in which they participate in various classes resembling the above. However, that is not a common practice in early childhood and while it took an immense amount of planning and collaboration, we were able to truly utilize the whole-child approach to education. It is evident that both students and families took advantage of the diverse instructors/ resources and were able to reinforce valuable skills, such as critical thinking and creative expression. Although our students are young, the confidence they gained throughout these experiences will continue to open doors for them, as they have created positive relationships with learning.

In terms of areas for growth, I would like to expand this unit and ensure we are continually providing multiple opportunities for creative expression, as well as integrating these skills with academics. I would like to utilize family partnerships and invite parents to volunteer and demonstrate their own special talents with each class. This also promotes active family engagement by giving parents a choice as to what types of enrichment their children participate in, as well as facilitating community within our school.