Children Thrive with The Basics 5!
Did you know that 80% of brain growth happens by age three and 90% by age five? That is why the first five years of life are so criticial to children’s learning. The Basics are five simple ways all parents and other adults can give children the best start in life!
The Basics’ public art project was a collaboration between Carlisle Arts Learning Center and Success By 6, the early learning initative of United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County. Five commissioned local artists played a key role in creating community-wide awareness of The Basics 5, which encourages positive early childhood learning and development. Postcards containing these works of art will continue to be shared with families at local health centers, community organizations, social service agencies, schools, child care centers and partner organizations.
Basics Strategy in Action document
The Basics Overview video link
Featured Artists:
The Basics are five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles that encompass much of what experts find is important for children’s healthy development, birth to age three. Every child from every background can benefit from routinely experiencing The Basics.
Maximize Love, Manage Stress – Molly Goehring (Artist)
“The intention behind this art piece is to illustrate that, while the “stress” of pink, red, and textured layers may be present, love is always in the forefront. It is invaluable for children’s emotional growth and well-being to remind them that they are loved and valued, especially in hectic moments of life. Maximizing love and managing stress is about the importance of making love a priority in a caregiver-child relationship. Stressors can come from a variety of sources, both positive and negative, and this piece holds love at the center of confusing and disruptive challenges.”
Maximize Love, Manage Stress Tip Sheet
Maximize Love, Manage Stress Video Link
Talk, Sing, and Point – Michelle Moats (Artist)
“As I created this fiber painting using dyed wool fibers, I reflected on an important role that is quite familiar to me as a mother – helping a child to see, appreciate and communicate about the world around them. I hope this artwork inspires you to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for any child in your life; whether it’s taking a big trip to the aquarium or simply watching goldfish swimming in a ‘round a bowl.”
Talk, Sing, and Point Tip Sheet
Talk, Sing, and Point Video Link
Count, Group, and Compare – Carol Reed (Artist)
“This piece is part art, part game. Explore the segments and numbers, find similarities and differences, count colors and numbers, notice dots and lines. What do you see? Explore the rest of the world with your eyes, and count, group and compare wherever you look. There are so many ways to see things! My artwork is made with fabrics naturally dyed with botanical material. This project fits well in my artistic practice because it is all about observing changes in the world around you, starting at a young age.”
Count, Group, and Compare Tip Sheet
Count, Group, and Compare Video Link
Explore Through Movement and Play – Luke Gawron (Artist)
“As both a father of young children and as a teacher, much of my life revolves around using play and exploration as teaching tools. Movement and Play encompass so many different areas that are important for children to learn about. My artistic process of sketching-through-collage was really fun for this piece: finding images that were inclusive and showing how movement and play can be accessible to anyone, anywhere. I also used images of children playing together, because it is also valuable for children to learn from each other.
Explore Through Movement and Play Tip Sheet
Explore Through Movement and Play Video Link
Read and Discuss Stories – Artzbeat (Artist)
“Reading and discussing stories is very important in early education. When I was growing up, reading and then understanding what I was reading was a challenge to overcome. Through this painting, I wanted to express the importance of helping a child read, and that bonding moment between a child and their parent/guardian. Finding a good book motivates people to discuss thoughts and topics with others! Discussing what we read is a powerful tool, and I want to express that in a beautiful way in this painting.”
Read and Discuss Stories Tip Sheet
Read and Discuss Stories Video Link
Funding from TFEC Basics Movement, part of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) Early Education Initiative
