Kennedy Center Start With the Arts

Kennedy Center’s Start With the Arts is an early childhood arts-integration program that helps adults use drama, dance, music, and visual art to support literacy and readiness skills. The curriculum includes lesson plans, stories, and activities designed for preschoolers, with adaptations for children with disabilities. Parents and early-childhood educators appreciate the concrete ideas for tying movement and creativity to books, vocabulary, and social-emotional growth. Many materials are available as free PDFs, making them accessible for home or co-op use. To really benefit, weave activities into your daily rhythm rather than saving them for rare “special” art days.