"Art doesn't transform.
It just plain forms."
Roy Lichtenstein
Arts-Based
Preschool Classes
Ages 2 to 4 years
Hagerstown, Maryland
Our Approach and Philosophy
"Play is the gateway to metaphor, to scientific insight and to invention. Choose a school that will encourage children to open this gate before expecting them to perform advanced mental operations."
Jane Healy, Ph.D. Your Child's Growing Mind
The years before children reach age seven are an important time for development and for laying the crucial foundation for future academic learning. For children ages two to six years, Walker Learning Centers offers a warm, nurturing environment for this phase of imitation and discovery. Our scheduling options for your child allows for an easier transition from home life to school.
A Day in the Classroom
Creative free play is a cornerstone of learning. Creative play and artistic explorations are both a direct line of ascent to adult imagination, creativity and problem solving. The whole basis of creative thinking and imagination evolves from free-form child's play.
In order to grow their bodies, children must be left free to move. Running, skipping, jumping rope, dancing, stretching and balancing allow children to develop the physical coordination and control needed to perform the more complicated and sophisticated movements involved in reading and writing. Modeling with clay, coloring, painting and handwork all help children develop fine motor skills. Current brain research has proven that these kinds of early movement are crucial to later brain function in the adult.
Story time, creative puppetry and theatrical play provide structure and and an engaging framework for literacy. Poems, songs, classical folk literature and recitation give children the opportunity to develop rich vocabulary and practice phonics, the foundations for reading. Listening skills and memory are developed, as well as the ability to focus and bring about attention. Now the children can begin to form inner pictures of the spoken word, the basis for comprehension and making meaning out of the world. After practicing comprehension out of oral story, children become ready to make meaning out of symbolic, written language.
Our curriculum is based on the Reggio Emilia approach. We infuse this philosphy and approach to teaching in all of the classes that we offer.
While each preschool class provides a different focus, each will stimulate your child's creativity and provide a nurturing environment for essential learning.
Please contact the office for more information
301-733-8261.
Hagerstown Creative Learning
Our Teachers
Ms Doreen Riss: Director
Doreen earned her B.A. at Salisbury University and a Master's degree in Art Therapy from New York University. She was raised on the east coast but lived in Colorado and California for the past twelve years. She is excited to be back on the east coast near family and friends. Doreen has worked professionally as a therapist and counselor and most recently as an Assistant Director of a private enrichment preschool program which incorporated art, creative play, music, and gymnastics in the curriculum. She helped develop that program taking inspiration from both Montessori and Core Knowledge curriculums. Doreen enjoys spending time with her family; she is married and has two girls who attend elementary school in Washington County. Doreen is an artist and loves to paint, draw, and experiment with all types of media. She believes that everyone possesses a creative spirit and that creativity should be nurtured and encouraged in people of all ages.
Ms Shana Oshiro: Music and Theater Specialist
Shana Oshiro is a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance from Morgan State University with the sincere desire to lead, educate, and inspire students with a personal passion for music. Shana interned for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra before joining the Miss America Organization where she competed and holds the tilte of Miss Maryland 2007 - 2008. Shana is currently studying Music Therapy as a master's student at Shenandoah Conservatory and now offers her experience and knowledge as an assistant choir director in Frederick and to students in the Montgomery County and Hagerstown area to help students acquire a functional understanding of music theory to help build a sense of musicality, style, and technique. She is proud to be an instructor with Walker Performing Arts.
Mr Jerry Walker: Co-Owner / Music Specialist
Mr Jerry Walker has over thirty years of experience as an instrumental music teacher and artist. He has been a band director in the Frederick County School system for over 30 years. He plays in local big bands, a variety band, and a brass qunitet as a professional trombonist. He toured the country for a year wth a fourteen-piece show band and spend three years in a U.S. Army Band. He specializes in teaching brass, percussion, woodwind and strings.
New classes being offered beginning January 2012!
Classes will focus on preschool basics and essential fundamentals of preschool development. While each class has a specific focus, all classes will include a visual arts component and a hands-on art activity designed to go along with the weekly theme.
"MUSICAL JOURNEYS" (Music)
Wednesday 9:00 am– 10:30 am
Children explore all aspects of music from instrumental exploration, vocal, percussion/drumming, piano, listening and creative movement. In this class, we harness that creativity and energy in a musical way so that each child can express their thoughts and emotions through music. This is a wonderful foundation and preparation for future instrumental or vocal study for any young child.
TWEEDLE TOTS “MOTHER GOOSE & ME" (Theater)
Wednesday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Let's explore a story! Children play together, develop new relationships and enter the world of make-believe via nursery rhymes and classic children’s literature. Through the use of music, movement and dramatic play, this class ignites your child's imagination while flexing his or her problem-solving, language and physical development. The focus of this class is literacy and language development.
"LET’S PUT ON A SHOW" (Theater)
Thursday 9:00 am– 10:30 am
Calling all pint sized actors and drama princesses! This class will teach beginning theater skills like stage direction, character development, and creative storytelling with voices and bodies. Through interactive games and play your child will develop creative thinking and problem solving skills that are used in stage performances. Many children overcome shyness and develop confidence when allowed to become new characters and tell imaginary stories. At the end of this four month class, students will have prepared a small informal performance that family and friends will be able to enjoy.
"ANGELINA BALLERINA" (Creative Movement)
Thursday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Our class is based on the Katharine Holabird classic story. Students learn beginning ballet steps, build sound fundamentals and combine creative movement and fun developmentally appropriate activities. This unique class sets the stage for sound skill building while allowing the child to explore the creative process of dance.
“BUSY BODIES” (Creative Movement)
Friday 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
This class will encourage children to move, stretch, tumble and giggle. The class will incorporate beginning movements from yoga, gymnastics/tumbling, and dance. Children will develop strength, balance, coordination, spatial awareness and will get those wiggles out! They are sure to build important social skills and new friendships.
"LET'S BACH 'N ROLL" (Music)
Friday 2:00 pm– 3:30 pm
The name might be corny but the class certainly isn't. This group instrumental class is a wonderful head start for any beginning musician. Students will be introduced a variety of instruments including woodwinds, brass, keyboard, violin, and percussion. Students will have hands on experience with all instruments and will have fun learning techniqe, rhythm, and listening to a variety of musical styles.
Preschool Classes
January 2012 – April 2012
Class sessions are 16 weeks in length and run January through April
One class $240. Each additional class $200
One class 16 weeks $240 (per session) $60 (per month)
Two classes 440 110
440 110Three classes 640 160
640 160Four classes 840 210
840 210Five classes 1040 260
1040 260Six classes 1240 310
1240 310
