Natasha Pratt, Pre-K4 teacher at St. Patrick School, Robertsdale, AL, participated in the 2011-2012 Arts in Education* program. During Arts in Education, teachers explore reading, math, science, social studies, and other subjects as they are enhanced by the arts. Teaching through the arts often reaches students who struggle with the more traditional modes of learning, and encourages creativity in the classroom. Through the support faculty members of the University of South Alabama and provided materials, teachers are able to easily implement creative teaching strategies. Natasha said,

“As adults, we are encouraged to think outside the box. Children do not have a ‘box’ to think outside of, therefore, their creativity is limitless. We, as adults, put constrictions on children when it comes to their imagination. When we surrender some of that control, magical things happen! Students retain more information if they are having fun.”

The students in the Pre-K4 classroom sing, dance, and create on a daily basis, all while learning. Incorporating more arts into the preschool curriculum has helped students become more confident in their learning abilities. The arts foster a healthy self-esteem, because every child can be succeed in the arts. *Arts in Education is funded by Alabama Commission of Higher Education, No Child Left Behind legislation, The University of South Alabama, and Alabama State Council on the Arts.