About ArtStart

ArtStart activities are designed to fully engage infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in a fun story that will be brought to life through interactive creative drama, dance, puppets and visual art experiences that all relate to the story. We know when children are having fun and are fully engaged they learn and remember more!

Goals of ArtStart

• To give teachers, parents and daycare providers positive, creative, and fun ways to teach and work/play with children through written lesson plans, support materials and written suggestions for follow-up activities

• To give young children access to art forms as a means of self-expression; most children do not read or write yet, but they have a lot to say and express.

• To help develop the children’s love and appreciation for books, stores, and reading.

• To use stories and related arts experiences to learn and develop confidence in communication and in being active learners.

• To build community through planned stories and interrelated arts activities, which help develop social skills such as cooperation and respect for other children in the group.

• To develop active listening and sharing skills.

Early Childhood Literacy Studies* Show:

• By the time babies utter or understand their first words, they know which particular sounds can be combined to create words, and the tempo and rhythm of words and phrases

• Infants who are better at distinguishing the building blocks of speech at 6 months are better at other more complex language skills at 2 and 3 years of age

• 9 out of 10 children who are poor readers in first grade have the probability of being poor readers in fourth grade

• 75% of poor readers who are not helped prior to age 9 will continue to have reading difficulties through high school

*Michigan State Board of Education Early Literacy Task Force

 

Target Sponsors ArtStart

Target gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs. Additionally, Target team members and retirees donate more than 315,000 hours to more than 7,000 projects each year.


Registration Information:

To participate in ArtStart, contact us.


Location Options:

1. Take a field trip to our center
2. Have the program delivered to your center or home

Program Costs:

Thanks to Target's sponsorship, the share of cost paid by the preschool for each hour of ArtStart is $50.

Contact Information:

To request an ArtStart program or for more information, email us.