Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA

Peek into an early childhood classroom at any given moment you’re likely to find music and movement. You’ll probably see educators singing classic children’s songs and nursery rhymes like BINGO or The Itsy Bitsy Spider. We all do it, but do you know why we do this? What magical power do these bring to the classroom that makes us use them week after week and year after year?

The magical power is ART. Art is brain magic!

As technology improves and we learn more and more about the brain, we can see exactly how art not only supports learning, but it is learning.

Take The Itsy Bitsy Spider for example. I bet it’s already playing out in your head!

The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.

Down came the rain and washed the spider out!

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, 

And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.

Rhythm and Rhyme

You remember this song after all these years because brains love rhythm, rhyme, and repetition. They also love positive emotional connections, multi-sensory experiences, and movement - and this one hits all the marks for the brain to take notice of the activity, and save the information for later. When we sing this song, we use rhythm, rhyme, and repetition because, of course, we’ll have so much fun the first time so we will sing it twice! Rhythm and rhyme are proven through research to be foundational skills necessary for learning to read. When we sing this with children we hear the song (auditory music) and move our hands to act out the story of the spider (kinesthetic, drama.) By acting out the song lyrics we enhance vocabulary and comprehension, which is valuable for speaking at a young age and later for reading and writing. When we sing this song with children they feel a positive emotional connection, both to the spider who tries again and succeeds, and to the adult they are joyfully singing with. Children engaged in singing about the itsy bitsy spider learn a valuable social-emotional lesson through the story of resilience, one they can use later to help them persevere when playtime presents challenges. That’s a lot of skill development for a quick song!

“Art in the classroom not only spurs creativity, it also inspires learning.” - Mickey Hart

Sing it Together

A cautionary tale- Before you choose to watch a video of the song instead of sitting and singing together, consider this: When you sing and act this out together the part of the brain that needs to imagine things to understand them (sometimes called visualization or the mind’s eye) activates to create a picture that helps make sense of the words and ideas. This is a skill children need to develop before they learn to read, so that when books no longer have pictures, text still makes sense. However, if you watch a video instead, the brain will not practice this important skill.

Ultimately remember this: Art is brain magic! The next time you feel like you need to amp up your lessons for learning, take a closer look at what you are already doing, and ask yourself what arts are we engaged in, and how many developmental skills are included in our daily routines of song, dance, and movement? Then, look for small moments to get those children’s brains practicing rhythm and rhyme and much more through music and movement that goes along with your topic of study or storytime book, and see the learning magic happen right before your eyes!

Links:

• Write Your Story Program Highlights
• Weaving it All Together, Childhood Education Innovations
• Follow us on Facebook

For many students, the arts are more than just an outlet—they’re a lifeline. In a world filled with academic pressure, social challenges, and mental health struggles, the arts offer solace, balance, and a way to regulate emotions.

Imagine a student who feels overwhelmed in a traditional classroom, disconnected from friends, and struggling to keep up with their grades. They might be battling anxiety, runaway thoughts, or even addiction. A recent Needs Assessment highlights increasingly apparent mental health challenges that are profoundly impacting students’ academic success and overall well-being.

Now imagine that same student engaging with a Story Tapestries Teaching Artist during their regular English class through an artist-in-residence program—they discover a place where they can express themselves, gain new perspectives, and realize they are capable of creating something powerful with their hands, their bodies, and their minds. Through creative collaboration, that student thrives.

In time, that moment of thriving grows longer and more consistent, until that once desolate student develops the skills and confidence to succeed both academically and personally.

Our students are in desperate need of these creative spaces in their lives. They need to be seen, heard, and supported. Story Tapestries provides just that—through hands-on arts programming that nurtures not only creativity but also personal growth.

The Struggle is Real for Students Like Kyle

As the first quarter comes to an end in many DMV-area schools, students will soon be receiving their report cards. For many, it's a moment of pride, but for students like Kyle*, it’s a painful reminder of what they lack. Despite their hard work, the grades don’t reflect the effort they put in. For them, school is a source of stress, anxiety, and even depression.

The pressure to succeed academically, coupled with personal challenges, often translates into mental health struggles. A recent Needs Assessment has shown that these mental health challenges are increasingly affecting students' academic performance and well-being.

Story Tapestries' programs make a difference for students like Kyle, whose family may be struggling to make ends meet. Through our arts programs, students who feel disengaged and lost are finding their voices, gaining confidence, and realizing their potential.

These programs provide students with the opportunity to explore their inner worlds and express their emotions through art. They teach valuable self-regulation skills and how to identify and manage emotions and behavior.

The Impact Is Tangible

At Story Tapestries, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of the arts. Take a look at our recent work at the Ronald McDonald House, where children’s creativity is on full display in this uplifting video: Watch Here.

The students we work with benefit from these opportunities in ways that impact their personal growth and academic journey. Programs like CHART, where students at Neelsville Middle School wrote and performed original songs, have helped them process their emotions and build positive mental health. Listen to their powerful voices here: Song 1 and Song 2.

Imagine What’s Possible

Imagine a student like Kyle* who feels lost in a traditional classroom, then through Story Tapestries’ arts programs, finds new ways to express themselves and thrive. This student, once on the brink of giving up, now has the tools to succeed both academically and personally.

These are the stories that remind us why arts education is so crucial in the lives of students. Through the power of the arts, students are finding hope, inspiration, and a path to success.

Thank you for being a community champion and generating such a powerful impact!

___

*Pseudonym used to protect student identity.

Links:

• Story Tapestries at Ronald McDonald House
• Art as a Tool for Positive Mental Health
• Follow us on Facebook