1. THE MANY GIFTS OF ART MAKING EXPRESSIVE ARTS, ART THERAPY & PLAY THERAPY with Alessandra Colfi, Artist, Expressive Art Facilitator, Linguist

2. Art not only reproduces the visible, but makes visible that which is not easily seen.’ Kimon Nikolaides, arts educator ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’ – Albert Einstein

3. EXPRESSIVE ARTS VS. ART THERAPY * Client Centered Approach * Therapeutic Relationship

4. WHY ART MAKING? Activate fantasy and imagination, giving it shape and color, bringing out messages Art making is the doorway to our souls. Natural tendency for the psyche to heal itself. (Carl Jung’s teachings)

5. CHILDREN’S ART Through art and play, children may play / act out issues, traumatic events, uncomfortable situations, and build coping skills.

6. CHILD-CENTERED PLAY THERAPY ~ Look At The World Through A Child’s Eyes ~

7. 1.We can only give what we are aware of, accept and appreciate in ourselves. 2.The child takes the lead when he/she feels safe and comfortable. Others / supplies / toys = catalysts. 3. Children learn by experience. 4. Sit down at children’s eye level and show interest. 5. Listen to the child

8. 6. A statement goes to the child’s soul. 7. Play is children’s language. 8. ‘It sounds like you have a plan.’ Using Choices & Consequences turn all responsibility back to them.

9. 9. Allow - No hurry 10. Play is intrinsically complete & rewarding Give the child credit, not praise. Play allows children to discover their own strengths 11. Always address the child as ‘you’ 12. If I don’t learn something from the child, then the child won’t learn anything from me

10. ENCOURAGEMENT & VALIDATION VS. PRAISE CREATE MOTIVATION & DISCIPLINE PROCESS VS. PRODUCT

11. THE ARTS FOSTER, ENHANCE, NURTURE AND PROMOTE: * Hand-Eye Coordination * Small Muscle Development * Concentration / Focus * Relaxation * Cooperation * Imagination & Fantasy * Self-Esteem * Processing Information * Following Direction …

12. …THE ARTS FOSTER, ENHANCE, NURTURE AND PROMOTE: * Self-Motivation to Explore & to Learn * Sense of Control & Accomplishment * Confidence in Risk-Taking * Left/Right Brain Harmonization * Creativity & Problem Solving * Compassion * Stress Management * Emotional Intelligence * Bonding

13. LEARNING DIFFERENCES ~ LEARNING STYLES 15% AUDITORY 40% VISUAL 45% KINESTHETIC

14. MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCIES By Harvard’s Dr. Howard Gardner

15. FIELD RESEARCH SHOWS SKILLS TRANSFER… SEATTLE - Green Lake Elementary School * Discipline Problem Almost Disappeared * Rising Academic Achievement NEEDHAM, MASS. – John Eliot Elem. School * Highest Scores in Massachusetts Educational Assessment Program - MEAP SHUTESBURY, MASS. - Elem. School * Learning subjects through art brings Higher Student Motivation, Understanding, Quality of Work, Discipline

16. WHAT THESE SCHOOLS HAVE IN COMMON: AT LEAST 25% CURRICULM FOCUSES ON THE ARTS AS SEPARATE SUBJECTS THE ARTS ARE INTEGRATED THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM

17. …FIELD RESEARCH SHOWS SKILLS TRANSFER COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD SAT scores are 31 to 50 points higher for math and language in students who had art & music in their curriculum.

18. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE ARTS

19. PLAY TIME!