Start with the Arts

Start with the Arts: A unique early childhood education program

Start with the Arts (SWTA) is a unique early childhood education tool that uses arts-based learning strategies to help educators and families prepare children for learning success.

Developed by VSA arts over the past 11 years, the second edition of SWTA includes 54 theme-based lessons with music, visual arts, theater and creative movement activities that creatively promote school readiness and literacy, as well as inclusion.

Start with the Arts is designed to encourage young learners with and without disabilities to learn, work, and play together.

The need for quality early childhood education programming, and its importance to a child's future academic success, is well documented. A growing body of research also indicates that children who experience the arts as a part of their early education reap many academic and social/developmental benefits over time.

photo by Althea Haropulos

Start with the Arts Features

1. Skill Development - Developmentally-appropriate, standards-based activities from the visual arts, drama, dance and movement, and music promote cognitive and social skills development
2. Inclusivity - Adaptations described for each lesson ensure that every child can participate fully, regardless of disabilities or learning styles.
3. Celebrates Diversity - Book lists reflect people with all types of disabilities as well as a broad representation of ethnic and cultural groups. SWTA is available in English and Spanish.
4. Includes Family - "Family Letters" - an important part of the Start with the Arts strategy-bridge a child's school and home life by emphasizing activities that the child can do with family members.

VSA arts of NH can provide SWTA workshops for your organizations. The SWTA Curriculum guidebook is available for $65.00 plus shipping.

For further information on this program contact our office at 603-228-4330 or info@vsaartsnh.org