Performing Artist and Musician Dan Egger-Belandria recently visited FBISD Pecan Grove Elementary and KISD James Williams Elementary to demonstrate a percussion based workshop supporting Early Childhood Development. 
 
His workshop, called The Rhythm Journey, introduces drumming techniques to aid in kindergarten readiness, and supports social development, reading and counting skills. The 45-minute workshop helps teachers identify a child’s motor and language skills level and development, as well the student’s ability to interpret and follow instructions. This ARTreach workshop supports early childhood development (ECD) and targets non English speaking in the home, special needs, and/or children of a parent in active military duty, and low income. The program was piloted at both schools to support staff development and Early Childhood Development.
 
Katy ISD, James Williams Elementary piloted a project for their pre-K students on Wednesday October 7, 2009. This project was made possible by ARTreach and a $240 financial contribution by the JWE PTA. “This program offers strong reinforcement of language skills and phonic awareness, said JWE Pre-K teacher, Alma Jarrell, ”the workshop was very helpful, and the kids loved it!  We want to thank the PTA for appreciating the value of early arts integration and providing this opportunity to our youngest and newest students.”
 
The FBISD Pecan Grove Elementary workshop was held on September 25th with funding provided in part by a grant from the Fort Bend Junior Service League. Additional funding for ARTreach programs has been provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Houston Endowment, Inc.
 
Rhythm Journey is available to all schools in Katy ISD and FBISD with financial assistance available to support title one schools and preschool programs for children at risk.
Visit www.artreachonline.org to learn more about ARTreach Programs in the schools and community.