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BOK A LOOK INSIDE
A LOOK INSIDE
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BOKfor kids
(and their parents!)
let's play! philosophies as crucial family relationships with community get-togethers, and children stay with the same teachers for several years, which helps them learn through continual nurturing and respectful relationships. The outcomes of this philosophy include joint engagement, self motivation, brain development and multitasking.
Project P.L.A.Y. School's mission is to create an environment where the promise of each child can be realized. They are a unique non-profit school serving toddler through preschool ages at Bok. To foster a space of play, Project P.L.A.Y. operates with a three C philosophy - collaborate, construct, and create - that recognizes the class environment itself as the third teacher. Project P.L.A.Y. School believes in the benefits of authentic experiences, hands-on learning, and relationship-based play. They reinforce parenting
What does this look like in practice? The school’s principles are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and constructivist education - a type of emergent curriculum that allows children to pursue their interests and gives room for them to explore those interests at their own pace. Parents can reinforce their children’s efforts at home, sparking creativity by offering open-ended materials such as tape, cardboard and sticks, and letting them choose what materials to use and how to use them.
reading corner Girls Inc. Early Grade Literacy Program
Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s Early Grade Literacy program helps girls in kindergarten through third grade develop the skills necessary to become proficient readers by fourth grade. The year-long program uses literacy-based enrichment activities to make reading fun while building critical early literacy skills. Since its start serving the region in 1961, Girls Inc. hopes to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold. They offer research-based programs, mentoring relationships and a pro-girl environment. Your children can participate in read-along’s, STEM experiments, cooking classes and more here: bit.ly/GirlsIncYouTube To learn more about Girls Inc. programming or register, visit girlsincpa-nj.org.
The literacy program is an extension of this: inspiring children to use reading as a tool to learn new information about topics that interest them. The literacy and academic curriculum begins with lessons on word families (“bat”, “cat”, “sat”) and moves on to compound words and grammar. This structure allows girls to explore fun and fascinating themes including: nature, career exploration, STEAM, leadership, character development, sports, history and culture all while developing an enthusiasm for reading.
Some questions adults can ask while the child explores and creates their own magic using these open-ended materials are: How can you….? Tell me what you could do with ….? What happens when…..? Their space on the first floor offers a beautiful atmosphere of discovery, both indoors and outdoors. The inspiring, supportive environment encourages choice, exploration, collaboration and social interaction. Each day, they see the children in their care experiencing the joy that comes from self-discovery, mastering new skills, and learning to navigate social situations with success. If you’d like to learn more about Project P.L.A.Y. or how to enroll your child, visit projectplayschool.org.
ut ck o Che two e thes ads by r t e grea tenants, Bok beth & Eliza er! Pet
The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection by Ben Brashares & Elizabeth Bergeland Meet Charles Whipplethorp the Fifth, aka Chuck: a young boy searching for his own identity. He has some seriously cool ancestors who were explorers, soldiers, and scientists. No pressure, right? With a little help from his nurturing father, Chuck finds his own source of strength and individuality through creativity and discovers that "greatness" comes in many forms. The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown In this action-packed sequel to New York Times bestseller The Wild Robot, Robot Roz must face her latest challenge: surviving the civilized world! Can she find her way home to Brightbill and the island? Find out what happens when technology and nature collide.
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learning through art
Lace in the Moon
Lace in the Moon makes art that looks good enough to eat, but don’t because it’s yarn! Nicole Nikolich is a Philly-based installation artist specializing in all things crochet. She experiments with bright colors, bold scale, and playful textures to create largerthan-life yarnbombs that evoke a sense of wonder and whimsy. Her latest piece, Mood Garden, is a collaboration with Mural Arts’ Porchlight Program. She taught students ages 10 to 15 how to crochet flowers, and every day they picked colors that represented how they were feeling. During the seven-week project, they talked about the importance of feeling whatever feelings come and go and embracing them all - which means that on this mural, there's a flower for you no matter your mood. laceinthemoon.com // @lace_in_the_moon
Art Sphere
Art Sphere Inc. delivers a range of artistic and human services to youth living in culturally underserved neighborhoods throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Art Sphere aims to fill the artistic void in communities where art programs have been cut by offering free visual arts, music, STEAM, mindfulness and dance programming. They use the arts as a strategic tool to educate and create meaningful experiences that help students develop a broad range of skills to thrive in all subjects. Some of the programming they provide includes collaborative public murals, cross-cultural art exchanges, nature conservation through art, and themed art workshops. They also have resources for parents and teachers on their website and blog, such as articles, crafts, recipes, and classroom handouts that are diverse culturally and by subject matter. To donate or learn more about their programs, visit artsphere.org.
art therapy w/ Rebecca Asch MA, ATR-BC, LPC & Antonia Cianfrani MA, ATR-BC, LPC What is art therapy, and how is it helpful? Art therapy is an integrative mental health profession that utilizes active artmaking, the creative process, applied psychological theories, and the human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. It is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change. - RA How is it different from other kinds of therapy? Art therapy is different from verbal therapy in that it uses the art making process, creativity, play, metaphor, and imagery as primary tools to embark on change and healing. In art therapy, we explore the content of the art, reflecting on its meaning and significance and how it relates to our life. Additionally, art therapists use the
process of art making to explore how it may mimic other aspects of life. For example, take the client who is reworking their watercolor painting over and over until the paper is saturated in water and tearing. Together we might explore this behavior of “overworking,” being unable to pull back until it’s too late. You would process these behavioral observations differently with adults and kids, but it’s effective with both populations. - RA How does art therapy help us through stressful times? Especially kids? In art therapy, you are invited to engage in the art making process as a way to explore and express your thoughts, feelings and experiences alongside a masters level clinician who will assist you in interpreting your findings. The outcome can result in a decrease in stress, anxiety and depression as well as an increase in self-esteem and self-awareness. Art therapy is especially helpful for children who often do not have the language to communicate how they are feeling. Art therapy provides a nonverbal means of expression that allows children the opportunity to share their story and take control of the narrative. Additionally, it creates an opportunity for kids to develop new
coping skills to manage their feelings in the future. - AC What is something kids have taught you about how we can deal with stressful situations? I am in awe of their elasticity and, despite often feeling short-handed, their ability to show up for themselves and each other. We take a look at what is causing their stress and identify the components that they have control over and adjust their thoughts and/or behaviors accordingly. Many of the young people I work with are empowered and ready for change and they continue to remind me to not accept things as they are but rather ask how I want things to be. - AC Rebecca Asch, MA, ATR-BC, LPC // rebeccaaschlpc.com Antonia Cianfrani, MA, ATR-BC, LPC // antoniacianfranilpc.com
s, hey kid e! color m and turn the page for more coloring!
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C O L B O O R K I N G
A LOOK INSIDE
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A LOOK INSIDE
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music and dance youth ballet classes
Amy Novinski believes ballet is for everyBODY and offers classes to all ages. In her Youth Ballet Program, students build a strong technical foundation based in the Vaganova method with pre-pointe training. They explore artistry, musicality, and dexterity while also learning discipline and problem-solving skills. amynovinski.com/youth-ballet-classes // IG @amynovinski
khmer dance classes
Cambodian American Girls Empowering's (CAGE) mission is to create a safe space where Khmer Americans can explore and learn more about their shared identities, culture, heritage, and history. They offer Khmer dance classes to kids 6 and up here at Bok every Sunday at 10am. Currently, classes are being held virtually, and beginner and basic Cambodian classical dance lessons are available on YouTube. cagempowering.org // IG @cagempowering
run dance climb explore
Beehive strives to meet the play and sensory needs of all children. From climbing structures to tumbling mats to cozy nooks, Beehive was designed with the unique needs and interests of babies and young children in mind. Recognizing the young child as an artist, musician, dancer, gardener, cook, writer and reader of the world, Beehive reflects the many voices of children and provides opportunities for them to explore, play, and create alongside others in the community. beehiveatbok.com // IG: @beehivecommunity
Building Maze Imagine you are a bird enjoying the Bok rooftop view, and you're ready to fly back to your nest. But oh no - there are clouds in the way! Soar through this maze to get back home.
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the ULTIMATE Bok career search What do you want to be when you grow up? There are so many options! You can find people in many different careers at Bok. Find them in this word search! You can use the key to help.
ARCHITECT BAKER BALLET DANCER BIKING CHEESEMONGER CERAMICIST CHIROPRACTOR DOG TRAINER FILMMAKER GRAPHIC DESIGNER
HAIR STYLIST JEWELRY MAKER LUTHIER MUSICIAN PHOTOGRAPHER STREET ARTIST THERAPIST WEAVER WOODWORKER
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reflecting on childhood
Jessica Saint
Sarah Naji
What was your favorite subject in school? Physics - Danielle Siegelbaum, Mixed Media Artist Art and Marine Biology - Jessica Saint, Makeup & Hair Artist Math - Sarah Naji, Minimal Chaos
Maricha Genovese
Akili Davis
Bok by the Numbers 1) HOW MANY BUSINESSES ARE BASED AT BOK? __________ 2) WHAT YEAR DID BOK OPEN AS A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL? _________ 3) HOW MANY WINDOWS DOES THE BOK BUILDING HAVE? _________
If you could travel back in time and give advice to 10-year-old you, what would you say? Girl, chill - Akili Davis, BlackStar Spend less time on homework and stress never helps - Maricha Genovese, The Tiny Jeweler It gets better - Sara Villari, Occasionette I had no idea that you could make a career as a creative and I wish I knew that was an option. I would tell myself to dive into that world earlier on and not to give up on the idea of being an artist - Sarah Naji, Minimal Chaos Answers to Bok by the Numbers: 1) 214 businesses 2) 1938 3) 1,732 windows!!!
OW U KNntoya Barelam O Y DID ierra Mo draw fro
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When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? It went from being a horse trainer to a lawyer! - Sarah Naji, Minimal Chaos An architect - Sara Villari, Occasionette A model or an archaeologist - Jessica Saint, Makeup & Hair Artist Veterinarian - Charles Todd, Mt. Airy Custom Furniture Constantly rotated, but always included "cowgirl" for a reason I've never understood - Akili Davis, BlackStar
W H AT ’ S N E X T
Curious about what tenants are working on behind closed doors? Come to the first Open Studios of the year on April 29 and meet some of the 200+ inspiring makers, artists and entrepreneurs that make up the Bok community - this is a free and family-friendly event! Mark your calendars for April 14: the reopening of Bok Bar. Let’s celebrate making it through the winter with a Golden Hour cocktail in hand! Finally, don't forget the Bok Community Fridge and Pantry on 9th & Mifflin! Bring your donations of fruits, veggies, and non-perishables directly to the fridge.
PRODUCED + DESIGNED BY
scout
PHOTO CREDITS
Michael Persico Tenants' Instagrams
ILLUSTRATIONS Symone Salib Studio Holly Simple Studio