Local Kindergarten Enrichment to Incorporate Spanish

Parents hoping to enroll their youngsters in kindergarten enrichment may want to add a recently-announced program—which will provide a "bilingual environment"—to their list.

The Katonah Art Center (KAC) is launching a Renaissance Enrichment Program for kindergarteners and preschoolers. The goal is to "give children both an extensive introduction to all different types of art and immerse them in a bilingual environment, where they will learn Spanish," organizers said in a press release Sunday.

The language will be incorporated into all activities: art, dance, movement, music and story time, according to the KAC.

“Study after study shows the importance of art and music in early education and the benefits of learning a second language as a child,” Loren Anderson, founder and director of the Katonah Art Center, said in a statement. “We think that putting these things together will create a great learning environment for your child, while still being a lot of fun.”

The program will run from Sept. 9 to June 26. Patti Hupp, the lead singer in the Feeling Groovy Band and founder of Miss Patti’s ArtSmart and ArtSmart TV, will lead classes.

For closings and delays, the program would follow the schedule for the Katonah-Lewisboro Schools, which currently offers half-day kindergarten. Bedford Central students are enrolled in full-day.

Transportation would be available through local districts, the KAC said. 

An open house for the program and summer camps is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday (the center is located at 131 Bedford Road). Teachers will be there, and the new program rooms will be open. 

What are you looking for in kindergarten enrichement? Tell us in the attached comments section.

Here are links to previous posts on the topic:

• What Do You Look for in a Kindergarten Enrichment Program?
• Your Patch Guide to Kindergarten Enrichment