Start with the Arts Family and Community Engagement Program Deb Norris July 18, 2024

This is a free 22* week program where providers will engage with their childcare families in arts based literacy activities, with weekly support provided by one of our Start with the Arts teaching artists. The program includes 5, 2 hour professional development gatherings developed to support you in including your families in simple arts based literacy activities. These will be held over the course of the program, outside of childcare hours, with flexible scheduling. The very first gathering will be held before any of the actual work with families begins so you will start out with solid ideas of how to engage families in simple arts based activities. (*without breaks or cancellations, could run longer depending on provider schedules) With support, providers will create, deliver and document simple family engagement arts based literacy activities at least once a week. You will be starting with very simple, quick activities that can be done on the way out the door, and progressing towards families reading and exploring the arts at home with their children. A family gathering is included to introduce the families to the program and to inspire them to participate fully. We have also included a library engagement component, where families earn incentives for visiting their child care provider’s local library. Providers will earn 18 hours of professional development for completing the program.