Family Workshops

Modeled after Professional Development Workshops for teachers, these popular interactive sessions (lasting approximately 45 minutes) bring young children and their parents/caregivers together through a shared experience in the arts. They provide parents with an opportunity to sample the work of the artist spending time in their children’s classrooms. The number of participants varies with the presenting artist.

Schedule a Workshop

Available Workshops

Everybody Comes from a Different Place

This exploration of children’s folk music begins with an imaginary trip to Slim’s farm in the Appalachian mountains to meet 4 well-known instruments: the fiddle, the banjo, the guitar, and the harmonica. Slim leads a tour of 4 different cultures (Chinese, Latin American, Swedish, and West African) to meet the “grandparents” of these popular instruments. Participants explore multicultural stories, dances and songs perfect for the early childhood classroom.

Journey to Africa: Sharing Family Experiences

This family workshop introduces many exciting ways to adapt songs, rituals, and activities from other cultures to every family’s daily routine. Participants will take an imaginary journey to share in the movements, sounds, and instruments of different West African traditions.

Puppet Power

Learn more about the power of puppets in this exploration of how teachers or parents/caregivers, young children, and puppets interact. The workshop begins with a brief overview of puppet types; participants are then given some ideas for puppet operation and use. The second half of the workshop gives participants examples of specific curriculum tie-ins, such as using puppets to enhance and highlight field trips; teaching numbers, shapes, and colors through puppets; and ways to use puppets to introduce a new unit of study or topic.

Raps and Rhymes: Motivating Children Through Movement and Rhythmic Music

Join “Danny G” in a participatory workshop that is sure to leave you full of energy and great ideas to bring back to your classroom. A musician and dancer of the Southeast Asian Kulintang gong tradition, Danny G uses a variety of movement and mime techniques to help children develop such necessary skills as motor coordination, sequencing, and spatial awareness. Activities include chants and “raps” which reinforce social skills such as cooperation and sharing while teaching colors, shapes, and numbers. In addition, participants are introduced to indigenous Filipino folk tales, dances, music, and games in a way that is age-appropriate, educational, and entertaining for young children. Teachers will learn new strategies for promoting self-expression, imagination, symbol recognition, creativity, and improvisation among their students.

Ready, Set, Imagine!

In this interactive family workshop you will discover how the world of imagination can make learning fun everywhere and everyday, for you and your child. Learn various storytelling techniques that will help open your child's door to reading, verbalizing, and problem solving.

Rhythm, Chants and Space Games: Movement for Memory

A highly energetic workshop led by John “Kinderman” Taylor integrates rhythms, movements, and simple body part chants with more intricate spatial awareness games to demonstrate activities which help children identify and recall concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, community relationships, modes of transportation, and action verbs. Finger spelling and American Sign Language are incorporated as an aid in teaching the alphabet and developing fine motor skills. Sequencing games also build concentration, self-control, and memory.

Sing It, Shape It, Write It Yourself

In this lively workshop, nationally-known musician Gary Lapow combines songs with dramatic play to use music as a teaching tool. This workshop incorporates original songs for all occasions and areas of study—songs about science and nature; songs to quiet the children and focus the group; songs to teach colors, numbers, and body parts; and songs that foster cultural diversity and care of the environment. Accompanying activities and stories are designed to improve listening and sequencing skills, enhance self-esteem and creativity, and foster language development.