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Weyburn Review, Weyburn, Saskatchewan -- February 3, 2021
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Children play, move, discover and have fun at Kreative Kidz program
Photos -- Submitted
Small classes in large spaces at the Kreative Kidz Fine Arts Academy ensures safety can be met while allowing the children to play, move, discover and have fun. Building blocks play a huge part in a child’s development. With such activities, they learn to take turns, share materials, develop new friendships and become self-reliant, increase attention span and cooperate with others as well as develop self-esteem. At right, Josie shows off her artwork from her first day as a Kreative Kidz.
Kreative Kidz program designed to help children learn new skills By Sabrina Kraft Kreative Kidz Fine Arts Academy is a brand new program offered in Weyburn and the only one of its type in southern Saskatchewan. It’s designed to help children learn new skills and teamwork. “We learn manners, how to follow instructions and be a good friend to others. We know the importance of movement and the advantages to the fine arts, and we wanted to create a program to share the joy the fine arts can give,” said Tammy Bhimji, known as Miss Tammy to her students. She is passionate about developing confident, healthy, and well-rounded children. She believes that fine arts teach many life skills that can be applied to all aspects of life. She focuses on building confidence through movement, as she feels this is the best gift.
Kreative Kidz is a diverse, all-inclusive program for children ages two to five years. “Its fun and active curriculum allows children to develop social skills and talents at a young age. Children will participate in dance, yoga and fitness classes while enjoying music, art, and drama lessons. Students have five classes each day filled with imagination and movement,” said Miss Tammy. Currently, classes run for two hours on Thursday afternoons, but there is enough interest to also run a weekend program. “The goal of the program is to enhance each child’s overall development by advancing gross and fine motor skills and improving social, cognitive and emotional awareness. This program is for all children to have an opportunity to develop their confidence, spark imagination and
foster creativity. It’s time to get active and connect with others with a small class size in a large studio
limit group sizes to ensure that they are following all COVID-19 safety protocols. “Our program is still
Its fun and active curriculum allows children to develop social skills. – Tammy Bhimji space,” said Miss Tammy. Since the Kreative Kidz classes are offered as a short-term option, families can join for either 10 or 18 weeks. “There are not a lot programs designed for ages two to three that are a dropand-go setting and parents love the option.” The small class size also allows Kreative Kidz to
Taping a tour of People’s Choice exhibit
very new and we encourage parents to reach out and ask questions, no commitment required. We also provide free Kreative Kidz Books for all families who register that discusses our program in detail and lets our families know what is happening, every step of the way.” “Preschool children
have always been a favourite of mine to teach and I have invested a lot of my training into this age group. Young minds are so open, loving, and curious. Kreative Kidz has a very specific program designed with this age in mind. From songs, to crafts to fitness activities, we have worked with some amazing early childhood program developers to ensure we are offering a program that will be enriching and beneficial while consistently staying fun. The Kreative Kidz program is now running their second session, and it speaks to their success to have families returning. “The feedback we are receiving back is so positive and full of thanks for bringing a program such as Kreative Kidz to our community.” “The parents love the design of the program.
They appreciate the time and effort that goes into providing a safe, educational, and fun space for the toddler while the kids express their love for the program through their smiles and giggles,” said Miss Tammy. “Having that child who is shy and nervous come day one, not wanting to leave their parent’s side or wanting to interact with others -- to suddenly be holding their teacher’s hand, singing the friendship song or simply saying ‘see you next week’, is the biggest reward of my teaching career,” said Miss Tammy. “Those are the moments I teach for. If I have made one small difference in the life of a child, introducing them to the fine arts and allowing them to explore and discover what makes them happy, Kreative Kidz achieved our goal.”
Review Photo 4396 — Greg Nikkel Corey Morrissette of AccessNow, left, taped a virtual tour of the James Weir People’s Choice exhibit at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery, for viewing by the public during the voting period. The tour was provided by Arts Council curator Regan Lanning and director Jessica Payette, as there will be no in-person tours of the competition this year. Voting is open until March 19, and the winners will be announced via livestream on Facebook on March 25.