After School Arts Question and Answers
Feel free to respond to the post with a question.

What is the difference between enrolling in an Art program (After School Arts LLC, Monroe St Art center, Madison Children’s museum art classes and doing art or doing it on your own?

You are receiving Art Education from a qualified professionals that study art, have college degrees in art, and often are required to take continued education classes in art.  These teachers can teach skills that can be used in the professional world of art.  Activities are often structured around academic learning and require developing curriculums. 

What is required to be a Director to start an After-School Art program in Wisconsin?

A minimum requirement of the equivalent of 4 years of college, including Early Childhood education and After School registry courses.  CPR and continued education courses also required.

What can my child do with art skill? I am more concerned with their academics.

Studies show art can help children improve in academics.  There are also many careers in the art industry including the medical industry, graphic design, teaching and many more. Your children likely will improve academically by attending art programs.

What is the typical cost of enrolling in art program?

After School Arts offers programs that can be less than sports or other clubs.  Fees start at less than $100 per month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BACK TO SCHOOL!
It's the count down.  Only 7 days left until school starts!  Not as exciting sounding as 7 days until Christmas but it is always exciting to start a new school year and a new year with After School Arts.

The next After School Arts Open House is scheduled on Tuesday Aug 30, 7-8 PM

After School Arts will be starting classes after Labor day on Tuesday Sept 6.



What's new?

• Ms. Julie will be incorporating more academic learning with art activities through a process called STEAM.  This is very similar to STEM but Art is added to the academic learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. 
• More Saturday classes.
• Customized class schedules.  Kids have many activities that change throughout the year.  Let me know what works for your schedule and we will find a way to make it work.  Minimum class time is 2 hours.  Minimum term enrollment is 60 days.

What will remain the same?

• Tuition costs are the same as last year.
• If you were enrolled last year there are no forms to fill out unless there are changes.
• Reggio style of learning which is a focus on the parent, teacher, and community all supporting children's learning through creativity and art.
• The Homework station. Kids can get a head start on homework before heading home.
• Great tasting and healthy snacks that kids participate in making.
• Creative learning, fun and a great way to meet new friends.
• Small class size. No more than 8-10 children per class. 

Parenting over Punishment

 

There are no step by step guides or cliff notes to parenting. Physical punishment like spanking or verbal punishment like yelling can stop a behavior issues in its tracks, but it never has any long lasting effect other than for children to associate fear with bad behavior, rather than teaching a lesson of comprehension to change the child’s long term behavior. 

It seems like a simple concept to not punish but rather parent but it is sometimes difficult to put into place unless we practice techniques and learn how to not react.

The first step is to look at negative behavior in a different way.  After we have asked our children five times to complete a task and then still haven’t done so we get frustrated and use our mature adult parent mind and think, “ why can’t my child just do this…I have asked five times already?”  Are they doing this to make me mad?

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind when frustration sets in.

1.    Child won’t clean up toys or do chores.

 

Parent: "When will I be able to relax until all of this stuff is put away so I can relax and cook dinner?"

 

Child: "I want to get out more stuff because I am bored with what is here and maybe go play a video game or see what my friends are doing.  Wait…I want to make a fort with all the stuff I have out now."

 

Solution: Think like a child. Children’s brains are not fully developed to think like an adult.  The more you come to their level, the more you will establish trust and cooperation with them.

Make it into a game.  My daughter and I once pretended we were in a forest and we had to put all the rainbow loads of laundry away before it got dark and the rainbow would disappear.   The laundry detergent was the magic power to make the rainbow have protective powers to stop the darkness. My daughter was so engaged she wondered if it was safe to back in the forest to do laundry again.  I assured her there always will be rainbows, (loads of laundry).

 

 

2.    Child is bored

Parent: “I wish I could say I was bored.  I am so busy I can hardly breathe.”

Child: “They won’t let me watch tv or play games or go on the computer.  My parents are so mean and I am bored.”

Solution:  Children need to be engaged.  Pull out a board game or Yatzee which young kids can play by shaking the dice. Art projects are always engaging. Make a fort or an obstacle course in your home.

Involve your child in everything you do including getting the mail or picking items off the shelves when shopping.  It gives them a sense of purpose and a job to do. Give them an incentive with an allowance so they understand the value of work.  Kids do not always have to be engaged with you directly. This is not a reason to hand them an electronic device and walk away, but they certainly can build and create a lot without parents having to be one on one at all times.

If children are engaged they will not be bored.  Again you can use some creativity and a childlike mentality to motivate them.  Getting the mail can be going to outer space to get the special delivery from the space shuttle!

3.    Child is very upset or crying

Parent: “Oh no, my child fell down and is probably going to cry really loud.  I have to make sure that my child does not create a scene, that I am a perfect parent.  People are going to think I did something tragically wrong.  I just want my child to be happy.”

Child: “I just got hurt and my first instinct is to cry out for Mom or Dad because that is what I have done since I was born and that is all I know how to do.  It doesn’t hurt that bad but if they come to me and hug me and kiss my hurt I know things will be better.  I just need to be comforted.”

My first recommendation is to not react when your child gets hurt.  Don’t show a face of panic. You know the dropped jaw parent that can’t keep it together when their child is hurt.   Be calm and cool like an EMT would be in rescuing someone.  Emergency workers don’t show up saying oh my gosh what am I go to do in panic, they show up and start doing what needs to be done on mission to save lives. 

Put on that face and go to your child.  Make sure you acknowledge even the tiniest scrape or even no scrape and assure them they will be ok. Avoid saying oh it’s nothing.  To the child it is a very intense experience—remember they don’t have 30 or 40 years or experience getting hurt like adults do.  Everything to children is a very new experience.

Or

Child: “I am not getting my way.  All I wanted was that treat in the aisle at the grocery store and my parents won’t let me.  I am going to throw a fit until they give in and just get it for me.”

Time to wheel and deal.  Yes it sounds like being a used car salesperson but you have to set boundaries for your kids.

“How much is that candy bar?” 

“It is $1.50”. 

“How many loads of laundry would it take to pay for that candy bar?”

 First you are distracting them from the whole idea of the candy bar, creating an opportunity to do with math, and seeing if that value is worth it to the child. 

You can’t do this with younger kids who do not receive allowances but you can make it into a teaching opportunity. 

Another idea that works is replacement.  Well if we get the candy bar today we can’t have ice cream Sundaes for dinner.  Would you rather not have ice cream Sundaes for dinner?

Or

Child: "I am not self-aware that I am over hungry or tired and that affects my ability to make good choices or that my behavior could affect others."

This is a tricky one.  This is when kids’ physiological needs are not being met. If the child is either hungry, thirsty, tired or all of those, there is no other cure that meeting those needs.

Start with water.  Kids don’t spend all day drinking water like adults do.  They are likely not hydrated which is a lack of O2 in the body. 

Bring them to a different place.  Sometimes changing the environment changes the mood.  This can be done in other situations when kids are upset as well.  Ask your child, what is your body telling you?

Parenting over Punishment key items to remember

Think like a child and remember children do not have all the experiences that adults have already experienced many times in life.

Be creative and get to your child’s level.  Have patience and keep your cool in heated times.   

If you sound like your parents or how an adult talked to you when you were younger, in a scolding tone, you need to rethink your technique in terms of parenting rather than punishment.

 

 From the Author: My goal is that my articles help parents with raising children and would love to hear tips from you as well.  Feel free to respond to this blog. I am an Art Director and Teacher and previous Technical Writer and enjoy researching and writing about care for children. 

Julie Gahona

 

 

These are some resources from courses I have taken or resources that I use for information and recommend for more knowledge on parenting:

 

Positive Parenting

Focus on the Family

Love and Logic

STEAM courses

Bean and Mushroom Enchiladas

Ingredients:

Mushrooms
Onion
Refried beans
Sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
Enchilada seasoning packet
Tomato sauce - large can
Large burrito tortillas - 8-10

Chop onion and mushroom and sautee in a butter or olive oil until browned.
Mix enchilada seasoning packet with tomato sauce.
Spoon over a few spoonfuls of the sauce on the bottom of the pan.
Spread refried beans, onion mushroom mixture and shredded cheddar cheese over the tortillas and roll fairly tight and place in pan. Avoid overfilling the tortillas.
When finished pour the rest of the tomato sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
Bake in an overn at 425 for 20-30 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered.

This is a healthy, economic, kid pleasing meal!

After School Arts Summer Camp Enrollment occurring now!

2016 After School Arts Summer Curriculum

Green Thumb

June 13-17

We will participate in a daily group garden. Children will water and prune vegetables and flowers to be used for a Fruits of our Labor party. What we produce we will use in our snacks and other units.
Exploring the world we will take an adventure field trip to Oblrich gardens to learn more about plants and their existence in our ecosystem. This field trip is set to inspire for the floral design unit.
Found objects. Find outdoor items that inspire us to create including: gathering organic items like leaves, rocks or other items that inspire us.



Architecture and Art

June 20–24

Let’s tour the planet and find architecture that is not only functional but is beautiful art. We will take a field trip to observe architecture in buildings for inspiration for our projects. This unit includes planning out blueprints and creating our own mini architectural pieces.

Wisconsin Art

June 27 – July 1

This unit includes making and sampling items that attribute to our dairy economy.  Dairy culinary games and Wisconsin art and history.  We will take a museum trip to learn more about the badger state. 

The Art of Jewelry

July 5 -July 8

Jewelry is not just what you buy from the jewelry store. Come explore the many different cultures of jewelry and different textures and items used to make jewelry.  We will make our own creation of items that you would never think of that could be jewelry.  We will learn that jewelry is not gender specific.

Art History

July 11-15 – Art History
1 space left

* very popular unit

This unit explores art history of famous artists from Picasso to Jackson Pollock to Mary Cassatt and more.  Impress your friends when attending an art museum with art history knowledge after taking this class.

Jackson Pollock.  Who is he? What is his story? We will go Pollock with paint! Look out…smocks needed for this day.

There will be an optional trip to the Chicago art museum.  Parents are welcome to attend.  Field trip fee will apply and cost will be determined. 

Creative Writing and Illustration

July 13-17 – Creative Writing and Illustration

We will become authors and illustrators and understand what each is.  Ms. Julie’s background with technical writing will help with grammar and writing lite.  Introduction to basic graphic design, create newsletters, books, and presentations using type and graphics to create visual elements.

Culinary Arts

July 18-22– Culinary Arts

This unit explores learning basic healthy cooking that tastes great, general cooking, and understanding food health and safety.

Kids will learn skills they can use for a lifetime on making smart food choices and become independent on creating food for themselves and others.

We make many of our healthy snacks together and learn about the food groups.  We will include a field trip to understanding the food and restaurant business and get a daily taste of culinary arts…yum!

Flower Power

July 25-29

Flowers are a dynamic part of our life. We use them for celebrations, love, general affection and even used for apologies.

Join us on our adventure of creating our own floral designs with fresh, dried flowers and objects to make an artistic expression that can be used at a dining table, a foyer, or even at a hospital bed to promote cheer and health.

Volunteer activity week

Aug 1- Aug 5

Let’s make Earth day any day. Giving back--we will be doing a volunteer activity.  Learn life skills on feeling good when helping others.  This unit also includes art work that will include the aspect of giving back.

Recycled Art/Painted glass

Aug 15 – 19

Learn how painting on glass is easy, fun and elegant.  The most forgiving art…if you don’t like it wipe it. Use your creative mind to turn trash into treasures like milk carton outdoor games, items we make to help the outdoor wilderness or just silly or crazy art to let our minds relax and be free. 

Fruits of our Labor

Aug 22 – 26

In this unit we will harvest our Fruits of Our Labor and create fresh garden food and floral designs and a harvest party that parents can join.  

We will also learn the “labor” side of collaborating as coworkers and create our own product or catering business.

Back to School Preparation

Aug 29 – Sept 2

This is an excellent unit to give kids get a jump start on the routine of back to school.  We will also have open arts which will include time for children to choose their own art projects to finish off the summer.  Unit will include, Math/ art skills, flash cards, reading, writing (age appropriate).

Sept 5– 9 – Labor day and back to school.   After School Arts after school program begins.

Tuition

$100 deposit, $175 per weekly class. 

Includes daily lunch and 2 snacks, weekly outdoor activity/ hikes and field trips  Additional fees apply to Chicago field trip and supply fees, (minimal).  Transportation available.  See Director for details.

Summer camp units incorporate lessons in drawing, computer art, painting, constructing, writing, cooking, Reggio projects, life skills and more.

Don't delay...space is limited= 6 student capacity per weekly class. 

To guarantee to reserve your space you can mail a check for $100 per student. (Full payment due prior to first day of class) to:

Julie Gahona

2354 Quartz La

Madison, WI 53719

or

Make an appointment to meet at the studio in Poynette at W(257 County Trunk CS Poynette WI 53955( not a mailing address).

In person or phone meet and greet meeting recommended prior to attending class.

Questions or not sure what to sign up for?  Contact Director Julie Gahona at 608-516-9992 or email afterschoolarts53719@gmail.com

Developmental Milestones

Parents,

I encourage you to check with your pediatrician and teachers for milestone guidelines but I found a website that breaks down children's developmental milestones pretty well.

Every child develops at a different rate.  Try not to be concerned if your child is not hitting every milestone at a specified date.  If you have concerns check with your pediatrician or school to have your child evaluated.

Developmental Milestones for Grade Schoolers

Sandwich Power

If you are a parent or have ever cared for kids you know that they can eat and be hungry an hour or two later.  There is a threshold of time before you can enter the danger zone of entering the phase of sweet angel to ragingly hungry monster.  Read the story of my little monster and learn not only that feeding kids often is vital but how your child's inner caveman can be brought out.

So we entered the threshold of a few minutes past eating and monster phase was quickly approaching.  When this phase occurs nothing is good, everything looks bad to eat and just about everything in life is as if someone is poking the monster with sticks. Not to mention it feels like the end of the world.

At this stage we knew monster was in full motion so Mom just decides to take action and quietly make a sandwich.  But I don't like sandwiches or meat or cheese or peanut butter or bread or ANYTHING!  That's fine honey.  Maybe you can find something else.  I don't want anything else! 
Mom: Well, I am going to go eat my sandwich in the other room.

With no other ammo the monster retires to her room perplexed about what just happened.

Just by chance;) Mom left out all of the sandwich ingredients on the counter and peeked out the door of the room and saw the little monster pull out some bread,  put a slice of cheese and meat on it and quietly take it to her room.  This little monster at age 4 never made a sandwich before, but her caveman hunger took over and the monster realized that he was being taken over by caveman instinct of...see food, make sandwich...and the monster slowly went away.

The morale of the story is...avoid the monster by feeding him frequently but never give into a monster that has caveman abilities.  Never underestimate what your child can do for themselves.  It does not do them any service to do things for them that they can do themselves.  Our goal as parents is to teach our children independence, how to be self reliant and support learning so as they grow older so they are not reliant or even codependent on others.  If you are ever not sure if a child can do something give them the "sandwich" test and you just may surprised and proud of what your child can do.

What to ask and discuss with your After School Arts teacher

1. THOROUGHLY READ AND SIGN ALL DOCUMENTION - Make sure you know and understand the policies.  If you are unclear ask as many questions as you need to.   Your provider will use this for everything to ensure they are providing fair services to all clients and is not required for the provider to negotiate the policies.   It is required to have a meeting with the Director before you start.

2. PARTNER WITH YOUR PROVIDER - Speak to and establish a relationship with your teacher. This requires setting up a meeting and talking face to face, not just cyber communication. So much can be misinterpreted in electronic format.  Develop a partnership with your provider so there are no misinterpretations. Your provider wants you to tell them when you may be late in attendance or payment or other issues. If they do not know they cannot partner with you to resolve an issue.  The parent teacher relationship is vital to ASA.

3. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT - Unless you explain what you are looking for regarding service the provider will not know.  Don't assume the provider knows the hours and days and terms you are looking for.  What does your child want? Does it fit in to their schedule?  What do you want? Does it fit into your schedule?  If your child is overloaded with activities and has to miss class often, perhaps enrolling in the future would be better. You must explain this before you start service.  Some terms may be negotiable, some items may not,  i.e. your work schedule will not allow you to arrive until 15 minutes after closing time. Your provider may be able to work out an agreement rather than accumulating late charges because the request wasn't communicated.  Makes sure you and your significant other agree on what you are signing up for.

4.UNDERSTAND BUSINESS-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.  Your provider is running a business but is caring for your child which is very personal.  Make sure that when it comes to payment and policies you keep it professional and respectful and when it comes to care for your child that you understand that your provider has taken oath to be an advocate for children and will develop a personal relationship with your child.  Please do not take it personal if I contact you about payment--that is the business part.
Think of your provider as a friendly neighbor but also is running a business which requires payment where some of the proceeds go back to your child.   If there are struggles on the business or personal side the children suffer.  As your provider, I request cooperation and harmony.

5.AVOID LIVING IN A SILO
Try to attend parent events, make small talk or send a friendly email or text to keep in touch with your provider.  If your plan is to only drop off your child and have no involvement, the Art program may not be for you. It is not that parents need to make huge time commitments but rather stop by to see what your child is doing--they want you to. The relationships built are what creates our community of members that can trust each other and support each when we can. If you have an issue to discuss do not let it build up and make sure to discuss it right away.  When issues build up they tend to get blown out of proportion when they could have probably been easily resolved.  Remember your provider is human. We are all busy but even spending a few minutes here or there will keep those relationships positive and you may even meet some friends.


6. DISCUSS PAYMENT, POLICY OR SERIOUS ISSUES WHEN CHILDREN ARE NOT PRESENT
I am available to meet at many times as requested.  ASA has parent only nights to discuss issues as well.  A phone call for emergency items.  A text is fine for "my child is sick and won't be in tomorrow."
If you have a payment and want to hand it to me that is fine but absolutely no discussions will be allowed while classes are in session or children are present.  You must make a time to speak to me at another time.

7. HAPPINESS FACTOR
If you are not happy with the service please feel to discuss it with me.  I may or may not be able to change the situation. Depending on the severity of the issues service may be terminated.  The decision is usually based on how much time is taking me away from teaching/caring for the kids.
The happy clients are happy because they are willing to follow rules and make positive relationships and know that if they discuss an issue rather than stewing the issue more than likely it can be resolved.  Please see policy manual on factors that contribute to termination of services.

8. LEAVE BAGGAGE AT THE DOOR
If you had a rough day please do not come in and pour that out while the children are there.  I am happy to chat when the kids are not present.  The Open studio for parent nights are the best place to de-stress.

After School Arts is a Reggio inspired program and we focus on community and relationships, art and overall well being.  If we all follow the rules we can be much more productive.  I request that parents please understand that their actions directly affect how well the program will run for their children.  Thanks for your time in reading this post.

What are your kids doing this summer?

After School Arts Summer Camp enrolling now.

Enrollment deadline is March 14.
(Space is limited/Accepting waiting list)

Summer Camp 2016 Schedule

Culinary Arts/Parent Reggio day recipes

Turkey Sliders

A healthy alternative to burger sliders with tons of flavor and protein.

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs

Ground turkey

Salt Pepper Garlic powder Onion flakes Italian seasoning Dried Dill Queso fresco cheese Parsley Olive or light oil Directions: Precise measurements not needed.  A pinch or two of each dry ingredient. Avoid too much dill, garlic powder or salt. Crumble queso fresco cheese.  Mix all ingredients in large bowl with clean hands. Roll into 1 ½ inch patties and grill on each side 4-6 minutes. Healthy grape soda A healthy alternative to traditional carbonated grape soda with reduced sugar and calories.  Kids say it tastes the same as regular grape soda. Ingredients: Grape juice Club soda Mix 3 parts grape juice and 1 part club soda.