May 28, 2023 Last month I wrote about Creative Exploration through Storytelling, and the opportunity for my rising first graders to participate in our final puppet show of the year. They each created a bendy doll for their puppet, and I adapted “The Golden Fish” by Cynthia Aldinger for our show. While it was tricky … Living Arts Weekly: A Collaborative Puppet Show Read More ..read more

May 7, 2023 It’s the beginning of summer gardening in many parts of the United States! Between end of the year fundraisers, meetings and events, I’ve stolen every moment I can to be in my gardens. Like the children in my care, my mood reflects the season’s fast expansion: I want to be outdoors every … Living Arts Weekly: Gardening as an Integral Part of My LifeWays Care Setting Read More ..read more

April 30, 2023 This week’s article was written by our friend, Judith Frizlen, veteran early childhood educator and author of several books. Judith is also the facilitator for our on-demand online course, Creating Home Away from Home. You can read more from Judith at her website here.   When I started teaching over three and a … Living Arts Weekly: Karma, Alignment, and Destiny Read More ..read more

April 23, 2023 Story time has always been one of my favorite parts of the day for my own creative exploration. I’m an artist by nature, so the handwork portion of puppetry is very rewarding, but so has been the discovery of “non-traditional” performances. Carefully planning out a puppet show, imbuing our puppets with life … Living Arts Weekly: Creative Exploration through Storytelling Read More ..read more

April 16, 2023 The children of my kindergarten class have loved playing circle games this year. They have played some traditional ones that involve chasing, but more often, I have exercised my creativity to make up new ones along themes they enjoy, or movements and gestures they need. I have included a few today for … Living Arts Weekly: Spring Circle Games Read More ..read more

April 9, 2023 Today we have a touching story from Cynthia Aldinger, founder of LifeWays, about her reflections on her mother’s recent death during this sacred time leading up to Easter. I find it to be a very human, very heartfelt experience of the new life in death that is celebrated with Easter, but also … Living Arts Weekly: Easter, New Life at Death Read More ..read more

April 2, 2023 Festivals are universally-shared celebrations of life, and they are as diverse as the people of our beautiful planet. In celebration of the festival traditions that bring us together, we would like to share with you the experiences of several members of our LifeWays family this year, all from different walks of life … Living Arts Weekly: Stillness in Ramadan Read More ..read more

March 26, 2023 Last October, we shared with you, The Story of the Monarch, written by Marielle, cofounder of LifeWays America Latina. Marielle and I loved the idea of sharing this story because the monarch’s lengthy migration is something many of us are witness to throughout the US and Mexico, making it a symbol of … Living Arts Weekly: The Grey Whale’s Journey Read More ..read more

March 19, 2023 In this week’s article, we examine the developmental aspects of the “Six Year Change” that influence Social Ability. It is the final article in a series that has focused on the development of social ability throughout early childhood. You can look back to our previous articles to learn more: Social Ability Begins … Living Arts Weekly: Social Ability through the Six Year Change Read More ..read more

March 12, 2023 Festivals are universally-shared celebrations of life, and they are as diverse as the people of our beautiful planet. In celebration of the festival traditions that bring us together, we would like to share with you the experiences of several members of our LifeWays family this year, all from different walks of life … Living Arts Weekly: Celebrating Ostara Read More ..read more