Arts Without Borders: Wolf Trap in Singapore

Jul 05, 2016

The arts are a universal language—a value we take to heart at Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. This month, we saw this value “in action” as the Institute team, including four Wolf Trap Teaching Artists, headed to Singapore, where they’re busy training teachers to bring arts-based learning into classrooms and communities.

Picture Caption: Teachers from Nobleland Arts N Learning Place in Singapore (with Jennifer and Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Christina Farrell)

Through classroom residencies and workshops with Wolf Trap Teaching Artists, Singapore educators are learning how to use the performing arts to teach a wide range of subjects from early literacy to engineering and math. New this year on our itinerary for Singapore, we are also training educators and caregivers who work with infants and toddlers. Outside of the classroom, Wolf Trap is leading Family Involvement Workshops that introduce Singapore parents to a variety of simple yet effective arts-based literacy activities they can do with their children at home.

Picture Caption: Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Terlene Terry-Todd (Ms.T) gets the children moving in an early childhood classroom in Singapore.

Teaching methods and communications styles may vary across continents and classrooms, but all teachers are looking for effective ways to help their students learn. Singing, dancing, imagining, and connecting their bodies and minds tap into children’s innate joy and creativity, setting the stage to help children learn more deeply and meaningfully.

Picture Caption: Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Sue Trainor shows teachers how to integrate music elements, like high and low pitch, into a lesson about the water cycle.

Wolf Trap Institute Director Jennifer Cooper and Manager of National and Affiliate Services Bryna Shindell are leading the trip, along with Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artists Kofi Dennis, Christina Farrell, Terlene Terry-Todd, and Sue Trainor. They will reach approximately 600 Singaporean educators, 600 students, and 300 parents and caregivers during this visit. As the teachers begin applying their new skills, the impact of Wolf Trap’s training will reach thousands more in the months and years to come.

Picture Caption: Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Kofi Dennis poses with parents and children after his Family Involvement Workshop Journey to Africa

This is Wolf Trap’s third visit to Singapore, and the team is happy to reunite with our arts education partners—the National Arts Council and the Early Childhood Development Agency. They have been amazing collaborators in our journey to use the arts to cross curriculum and transcend borders!

To learn more about the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, click here.