LEARNING THROUGH PLAY:
A KEY TO SCHOOL READINESS

The 6th annual School Readiness Symposium was held on April 24 at the Fairfax County Government Center. This half-day workshop brought more than 300 family child care providers and educators from public schools and child care centers together to explore how the arts support children's school readiness. The day opened with moving remarks from FCPS Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Richard Moniuszko and the Honorable Catherine Hudgins from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Both invoked the importance of the arts in how children learn and the vitality of the partnership Fairfax Futures shares with Fairfax County Public Schools and the County’s Office for Children.

This year’s program focused on the major role the arts play in the education and development of young children. The symposium highlighted information and ideas presented in the resource guide "Early Learning Through the Visual Arts," which was developed by the Fairfax County Office for Children, Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax Futures. Participants had the opportunity to attend hands-on, interactive workshops presented by various art institutions, including Wolf Trap, the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center and The Lucy School.

Speakers included:

Dr. Richard Moniuszko,
Deputy Superintendent,
Fairfax County Public Schools

Anne-Marie Twohie,
Director,
Office for Children

Honorable Catherine Hudgins,
Hunter-Mill District,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Marcia Daft
leads a workshop around the dramatic arts

Sharon Schaffer,
shares images to
illustrate how to
engage young children
in works of Art

Two educators admiring
and enjoying their practical
application of working with clay

Wolf Trap Artist,
Ingrid Crepeau leads a group
on the magic of puppetry

Participants engage in a theatrical exercise during a workshop session

Early childhood professionals learn to use simple hand puppets for artistic expression

Erin Jacobs
leads a workshop on the Early Learning
through the Visual Arts guide

Participants from one of five workshops presented that day