Bryna Shindell, Assistant Director of Program Services at the US-based Wolf Trap Institute, and Penny Russell, Master Teaching Artist from the Wolf Trap Institute in the US recently trained SRT’s Teaching Artists in Singapore to deliver music-based Wolf Trap Residencies. As the only international affiliate of the prestigious Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts* since 2019, SRT partners with the preschool sector to upskill their teachers in arts integration for a more holistic approach to educating the young learners. One such collaboration is with PCF who have adopted these innovative methodologies for their Singaporean early childhood educators.

“The Singapore Wolf Trap Classroom Residency Programme has benefited not only the children but also the teachers such as myself. The program is tailored to meet the children's needs and interests, and teachers have gained strategies to support language, literacy, and music development. Overall, it has been a highly rewarding program.”

- Teacher S, PCF Sparkletots Preschool (completed Wolf Trap residency in Oct 24)

Bryna shared key insights from the Wolf Trap Institute's four decades of enhancing early childhood education in the US by integrating the arts into curricula.
 

Lasting Impact Through Educator Empowerment

At the core of Wolf Trap's success is its focus on empowering educators. By equipping teachers with the skills to integrate arts into everyday teaching in a developmentally appropriate way, Wolf Trap has fostered an environment where creativity flourishes in the classroom. As Bryna detailed, this approach not only enriches the educational experience but also supports diverse learning styles, making learning accessible and enjoyable for all children.

One transformative story shared by Bryna vividly demonstrates the profound personal impact of integrating the arts in education. In a class designed for children with autism, where typically none of the students spoke, a non-verbal girl experienced a remarkable breakthrough. During a session focused on simple greetings, a teaching artist worked with the teacher and children using timed beats through chanting. The teacher chanted his name to engage the children. Unexpectedly, this girl, who had never spoken a word to her parents, teachers, or peers, joined in, chanting "Mr. Kofi" This moment marked her first-ever vocal interaction, leading to a significant transformation in her ability to communicate. Over the residency, she not only began chanting her own name but also made substantial progress in her language skills. A year later, her teachers reported that she had integrated into an inclusion class with both verbal and non-verbal children, fully participating in language-based activities. Bryna’s recount of this story underscores the critical role that tailored, arts-integrated educational strategies can play in unlocking the potential of every student.
 

Professional Development as a Catalyst for Change

Wolf Trap's commitment to continuous professional development ensures that educators are not just recipients of knowledge but active participants in a learning community. Bryna emphasised the supportive, non-judgmental environment that Wolf Trap creates, allowing educators to experiment and adapt arts integration strategies with confidence. This model of collaborative learning and ongoing evaluation helps keep the programme responsive to the evolving needs of educators and students alike.
 

Developing Soft Skills Through the Arts

Throughout our discussion, Bryna highlighted the remarkable ability of the Wolf Trap program to develop essential soft skills such as confidence, communication, empathy, and resilience among children. By integrating arts into daily learning activities, children not only learn academic subjects but also acquire skills crucial for personal and professional success. The arts create a dynamic environment where children can express themselves, understand others, and adapt to challenges, thereby nurturing these vital competencies.
 

The Future of Early Childhood Education

Looking forward, the integration of arts into early childhood education appears more critical than ever. Bryna's reflections from our discussion highlight the need for educational programmes to adapt to societal changes, such as the increased focus on social and emotional learning in the wake of the pandemic. Wolf Trap’s example demonstrates that art can play a crucial role in developing these competencies in young learners.

As Bryna shared, the future of educating young minds lies in embracing the arts as a fundamental component of teaching and learning. Wolf Trap’s four-decade legacy showcases the enduring value of this approach, proving that when educators are empowered to creatively engage with their students, the impact can reach far beyond the classroom.
 

*Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts is a program of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.