During the promotional weeks leading up to the release of Julie’s Greenroom – the new pre-school series celebrating the arts that my mother, Julie Andrews, and I co-created in partnership with the Jim Henson Company for Netflix – two questions were asked of us again and again:
1) Why aim a show about the arts at a preschool audience?
2) How can parents, educators and caregivers best introduce young children to the arts?
To the first question: While our hope is that the series might be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, we chose preschool as our primary audience because we believe that preschool is the perfect time to expose children to the wonders of the arts.
According to research published by Americans for the Arts,[1] arts education in early childhood improves cognitive development, vocabulary, communication and memory. In addition, the esteemed Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education advocates for children to have “endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.” (This is referred to in their philosophy as the “hundred languages of children.”) Mediums like singing, painting and dancing allow children to communicate ideas and emotions they might not yet have words for. The arts also invite exploration of the world through the five senses—the primary ways in which children learn. Since we felt television programs celebrating the arts for this age group have been so limited, and because many children do not have ready access to, or awareness of, arts programs in their communities and schools, we hope to bring the power of the arts to them.
Now to the second question: What can parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators do to help young children discover the joy of – and reap the benefits from – the arts?
Here are seven simple ways to get started:
1) Explore – Look for every opportunity to introduce or expose kids to the wonder and joy of the arts, across all disciplines and mediums. Attend local performing arts and cultural events, listen to music together, watch films and TV programs and read books that celebrate or showcase the arts. Museums often have free days, and many cultural organizations offer free programs and discounts for children or families.
2) Encourage – Fuel your children’s interest by finding hands-on ways for them to explore the arts for themselves, both in and out of school - workshops or classes in painting, singing, dancing, acting, percussion, etc. Watch for the spark to ignite in your individual child; one may respond to dancing, but the other may prefer to build something, or be an audience member… and all are important! Celebrate and show up for them when they do participate in artistic endeavors.
3) Demonstrate – Let your child see, hear and feel your own enjoyment of the arts. Share your own creative talents and/or interests with them.
4) Think Local – You may not have access to Broadway or the Met, but you probably have a local performing arts or cultural center. Check your newspaper or community website to find out about cultural events in your area that you and your child might enjoy.
5) Go Global – If ballet or tap doesn’t inspire, maybe Irish step dancing will. And if your family or your community offers diverse cultural experiences, lean into those!
6) Contribute - Donate money or materials, or volunteer your time to support your school’s arts programs, as well as community arts organizations and their education programs. Support Americans for the Arts and other national arts advocacy organizations.
7) Advocate – Let your school board, PTA and principal know how important arts education programs are as part of the school’s budget. Explore possible partnerships between your school and local arts centers, or advocate for visiting artist programs. Write to your local and national representatives, or contribute an op-ed piece to your local paper. Host a community fundraiser, speaker series or screening about arts education.
For more ways to take action, visit Americans for the Arts’ website: www.AmericansForTheArts.org/artseducation/advocacy