Obama's Early Education Funding Will Better Prepare Children for Future

As President Obama places an emphasis on early childhood education and targets funding for after school programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill, parents and experts throughout the nation are satisfied with the added support for young children.

"The investment in early learning programs will make a difference in how we prepare our children for their future," says Shell Herman, art education expert and CEO of KidzArt, an international children's art Education franchise company.  "High quality early childhood education programs are linked to the development of strong social, emotional and cognitive abilities."

Obama's plan stresses the importance of early care and education, which is essential for kindergarten readiness.  He has pledged to provide federal challenge grants for states to use for these programs.

"It's gratifying to have the government recognize what parents and providers already know: that high-quality early education programs offer lasting benefits to kids and their communities," says Herman.  "Programs like KidzArt will continue to stimulate young minds and offer them skills that will better equip them for school and the future."

KidzArt is a drawing and art education program for children from preschoolers through teens that provides supportive, non-competitive art classes in both preschool and afterschool settings.  The skills learned in art class can help prepare young children to read and write by developing their visual and motor skills as well as encouraging self-expression and problem solving in school-age children.  KidzArt classes allow the children to communicate in new and creative ways. 

“KidzArt teaches children to try new things, explore fresh ideas and to create,” says Herman.  “When a young child paints or draws, uses her imagination and memory, she is expressing feelings and ultimately learning and growing. We've seen, firsthand, the positive effects that this early nurturing can promote.”

KidzArt provides both parent paid and grant funded programs which may be bolstered by Obama's new funding.                                                      

About KidzArt
Founded in 1998, KidzArt is an international art enrichment Franchise company that helps kids of all ages explore their inner artistic potential.  Through afterschool classes, camps and birthday parties, KidzArt offers a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-media drawing and fine arts curriculum designed to inspire kids throughout the world.  KidzArt's "no mistakes" philosophy encourages children to try new things, explore their creativity and overcome their inhibitions or obstacles in order to grow and learn.  Franchising since July 2002, KidzArt has franchised units throughout the US, China, the Middle East, Singapore and South Korea.