Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts to launch bilingual arts integration program for children
Each year, the Spanish-speaking community in Annapolis continues to grow. And as a result, several organizations and small businesses are adapting to help integrate families who are concurrently trying to accommodate.
One of the most recent organizations to do this is Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, which will be launching its first bilingual arts integration program on Jan. 28 for young children.
The ArtyFacts program will offer three 15-week class theme options that provide pathways to learning that are developmentally appropriate for pre-K and kindergartners, or children aged three to six.
“It feels like it is our responsibility to embrace our evolving diversity and grow together as a whole, said Laura Brino, outreach coordinator at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and program teacher.
“Non-Spanish speaking families have an opportunity to immerse their young children in a program that encourages bilingual vocabulary building which will help them better engage in our community. Similarly, non-English speaking families are able to enroll their young children in a program that uses the universal language of the arts to teach collaboration and problem-solving skills while at the same time developing their English vocabulary.”
Each class includes stories, music, art projects, yoga, movement and dramatic play, while introducing beginner-level Spanish vocabulary through songs and stories. The program is also offered to children who may be home-schooled in kindergarten as a supplemental class for
them offered during the day.
“Maryland Hall is mission-driven and dedicated to art for all,” said Katie Redmiles, digital marketing and communications specialist at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. “Our programming is driven by what the community needs. ArtyFacts also recognizes the need for integrated programming for both English and Spanish speakers.
“At a time when our communications have become mostly digital, we see a community craving to connect offline. There’s no better way to initiate that than by connecting the youngest members of our community through art, the universal language.”
According to Brino, the program is specifically an arts integration program proven to engage children in their learning process as well as break down the barriers of traditional learning. The program looks to engage children from any background and any language level in a variety of arts activities while they learn about developmentally appropriate concepts that are taught in traditional preschools and kindergarten classes.
Estefani Castro, assistant teacher and bilingual lead teacher, will lead the Spanish-speaking students as well as teach Spanish to English-speaking students.
“It’s important for students to participate in an after-school program because it can benefit them in many ways,” said Castro, who was a participant at Jovenes Artistas, an after-school youth outreach program through Maryland Hall for the Create Arts’ ArtReach.
Castro said participating in Jovenes Artistas created a sense of belonging for her. With the support of the program, she was able to successfully work on her assignments, which consequently helped her grades.
She added that being able to express herself through art made it a lot easier to also express herself verbally. Based on that experience, she hopes the new ArtyFacts program will do the same for other children.
“It’s already hard for non-English speakers to feel accepted in the community because most of the time they do not know or understand what’s going on,” she said. “Participating in an after-school program can feel like a second home to them. It is a less stressful environment for them to learn new skills, and them feeling supported by a group can help them feel comfortable and adjust to a new community.”
The three ArtyFacts class themes include “Our Natural World” on Tuesdays from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; “The Traveling Artist” on Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; and “Nursery Rhymes” on Fridays from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.