All of us have heard political leaders say we should give kids a great start as preschoolers. But what does that mean? How do we set kids up to thrive?
Some answers are obvious; most importantly, devoted teachers and stimulating classroom spaces.
We provide those in abundance here at Educational Alliance’s preschools, one at the Manny Cantor Center and the other at the 14th Street Y.
We also do something else that is wrapped up in our history and that is deeply impactful on young minds: art.
Our kids, from their earliest time in the classroom, are part of an art program that is intensely committed to their creative abilities. Research has shown in abundance that early childhood art instruction facilitates communications, motor skills, imagination, and emotional stability. (The same is true for research on the impact of art on older adults and people suffering from addiction, both of which are part of our programming at EA as well.)
All summer, our gallery at the Manny Cantor Center has featured the artistic work of the students in the preschool, along with descriptive signs that explain the instruction that underlays each creation. What’s inspiring about it all is the belief that these children – even though in preschool – can function as artists and grow from the act of creating.
The founders of Educational Alliance believed that art was intrinsically tied to human thriving. At that point, it meant creating an art school that served new immigrants to the Lower East Side, most of whom were impoverished. That art school (which still exists and reaches thousands every year) eventually included great artists like Mark Rothko, Chaim Gross, and Louise Nevelson.
The connection to our preschool art program is apparent: art should not be an exclusive, high-end amenity only for certain people. It’s a way for all human beings – no matter their age, their income, or their background – to express themselves, to learn, and to thrive.
Please watch the video above, in which I interview Leticia Perelstein in her art classroom at the Manny Cantor Center. As you listen to Leticia, you’ll hear the direct connection between her words and the founding principles of Educational Alliance, which has believed in the creative potential of each person for generations.
Best,
Rich Baum
President & CEO, Educational Alliance