Penny Patter

BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER

May 21, 2004

**Artful Dodger?**
We are reviewing and updating our Art Learning Center this month. We generally include one such meaty subject in our in-service training diet each month. Keeps us strong and healthy in the knowledge department and aids our memory, reminding us that we are all students, all our lives, whether we acknowledge it or not.		Many reasons for art as a learning area include opportunities for social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. Remember, too, that in emergent literacy, children’s drawings are their "notes", their way of translating and recording the exciting learning events of their days.

**Arty Deduction:**
Another reason for art, not so frequently mentioned: it is a conduit for meaningful conversation. Ask a young student how their day was and their response might be a shrug, and maybe		an "OK, I guess." But ask him to draw a picture of something that he liked that day, or of something he did not like, or even something that scared him, and you have probably opened a doorway to his inner thoughts and feelings.

**Art can be Crafty:**
An art center is easy to set up in the home. Put some paper, colored pencils, markers, scissors (blunt), paints, glue, whatever, in a container or drawer within reach of the child or yourself. This creative opportunity is so beneficial and is a great alternative to		unchecked television viewing (for example). See Weekend FunWork (in English and Spanish) at www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc for more about this.

**Art-Ternative to TV?**
Which brings us to this reality: Are you prepared to deal with it if your child lets you know through his art or otherwise that the things he sees on TV frighten him? How much better it is, as we have frequently ranted, to limit TV or to watch together. In fact, I think I am about ready to produce one of those papers, you know the kind, 20 reasons Not to Let Children Watch Unlimited TV. If you have any reasons (or vice versa) to add to the list, please do write to me or let me know. Or how about 20 things to Do instead of Watching TV. Please indicate if I may use your name. Or not.		Send to me at bewith@mail2peace.com or to PO Box 187, Hightstown, NJ 08520. One possibility is a walk around the neighborhood. Now that the weather is nice, that is just what the Heart Friends class did. Upon invitation from Mike Vanderbeck, they went on an excursion, to the Slow Down Café. If you have been there, you know it has a wonderful ambience and delicious food. Upon return they reported that the ice cream was really good, that they had remembered to say please and thank you, and had not touched anything they shouldn't.

**Our Supporters are a Work of Art:**
A special donor remembered us this week. Bryan Screws, one of our graduates, and now a graduate of LaSalle University, with a Bachelors in Business Administration, Marketing and Management. How special that one who was one of "works in progress" is now flourishing, and remembers us with a donation. We are so proud and grateful. Items received this week include six more hand crocheted blankets from nimble fingers Clara Martino, a bike helmet, toys, dolls, puzzles, sun glasses, shoes and other items from good friends Taylor & Jamie Cohen,		from Jonathan B. Craig and Trinity Church, and from Luz Nereida Horta. We especially enjoyed the items donated from the After Prom Party, Class of 2004 via good friend Jennie Lindbloom including juice, Frisbees, bandanas, as well as pens, pencils and highlighters which are inscribed "Zero Tolerance, Think, Don't Drink" from the East Windsor Police Department. Thank you good friends. A very generous contribution from the Isadore Weiss Memorial Fund of the Shefa Fund was very welcome and appreciated.

**Penny Pincher is a SmArty:**
Is it really necessary to have a TV and VCR in every room of the house? Think of the cost of the electricity! Also, "Mr. Jonathan" Craig reports that in a recent		study it was found that some young scholars were not performing up to par because of lack of sleep due to watching TV. Hmmmmm.

**Artful Parenting:**
The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect produces a wonderful calendar each year. We received a copy when we attended the Cherish the Children Award Dinner. On each day of every month of the year, they give a hint for positive parenting		and creating a loving and nurturing environment for children. Their web site is www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cap/njcap3.html For example, for May 16, the suggestion is: "Help the children plant pots of colorful, easy-to-grow flowers, like zinnias or marigolds…"