By Isabel Marcheselli
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – Over two Saturdays, March 20 and 27, preschoolers and first graders are invited to participate in a free, fun family program entitled, Story Arts Happy Hour, led by Enchanted Circle Theater and hosted by the Westfield Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program (CFCE).
The programs will be from 10-10:45 a.m.
Story Arts Happy Hour will focus on helping children to make visual art as inspired by their reading of books. The program will take children through three books, including “A House is a House for Me” by Mary Ann Hoberman. Children will, afterward, explore their responses to the books that they have read through art projects.
Since 1976, Enchanted Circle Theater has been collaborating with educators to integrate performing and visual arts into the academic curricula of children. Though the Zoom online format for this program with Enchanted Circle is brand new, the CFCE has been offering online programs since the pandemic officially began.
“We’ve been offering online programs, ever since the world shut down,” says Paula Hebert, CFCE program coordinator.
The CFCE provides free programs to Westfield families with very young children. Some of their other programs include playgroups, parent workshops and literacy-oriented activities.
“It’s a great way to offer some fun and engaging programs to families and it’s great to see parents and children playing and learning together,” said Hebert, adding that CFCE hopes to return to live programs in May.
Space is limited, and all who wish to participate in Story Arts Happy Hour should register by March 18 because a free bag with supplies will be mailed out to participating children. Families are also encouraged to stay informed by following the Westfield CFCE Facebook page where program updates are regularly posted.
To register for Story Arts Happy Hour or for more information, call (413) 568-5242 or email Paula Hebert at [email protected]
