CHILDREN'S RAINFOREST ART EXPLORER
Art Activities Program
San Diego Zoo
SUCCESS Optimist Club
SUCCESS Optimists and the San Diego Zoo have joined in a partnership to provide inspiring art activities for childhood victims of cancer. It is well documented that art activities can be more than an entertaining diversion from sickness, and can actually help in the healing process. The National Institute of Health recognizes that visualization techniques...including drawing, are ways for those with cancer to mobilize their immune systems. Our pioneering program requires that we closely evaluate every activity to determine what is most successful in providing the greatest therapeutic value for the children and their families. As art has become de-emphasized in the world of growing 3-R expectations, most children have not been exposed to a truly inspiring art program. In a book titled Medical Art Therapy with Children, edited by Cathy Malchiodi, we find support for the art programs.
"Of all the expressive modalities used with children, art is one of few which leaves a tangible product, a lasting mark on the world. The resulting image becomes important...as a visible and external record of the self. Art serves an important function as a form of 'visual legacy', a quality which can be particularly important during life-threatening circumstances such as cancer."
This curriculum will extend beyond our pilot program at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, and be an effective template for any children's medical facility in the world.
Through experience, we realize that this program is an amazing antidote for the fear and trauma that is experienced by all family members. We strongly encourage parents and siblings to participate, and the results have been truly inspiring. Don Brunnquell, President of the Association for the Care of Children's Health stresses that it is crucial to incorporate into policy and practice the recognition that the family is the constant in a child's life.
The core program will involve the introduction of an animal by a trainer, caretaker, or other knowledgeable professional. This will involve an explanation of the animal's natural habitat, eating habits, and survival skills. Physical characteristics will be pointed out that contribute to the animal's ability to survive in the wild. The children will touch many of the animals, which will help to build a bond.
The San Diego zoo's Joe Nyiri has a technique for teaching art to children that has been refined over a period of forty years. It involves a whimsical enthusiasm that truly brings the best out in the children as well as the parents. Over the years, Joe has trained a number of young assistants. While Joe is providing art instruction to the group, the assistants can circulate, working with individuals. After the children are introduced to basic shapes, colors and drawing technique, they become immersed in this healing art experience.
Program Outline
The classroom experience can take place at the zoo or in the hospital. There will be a limit of four family members per cancer patient for these events and a limit of 40 participants.
Volunteers
In order to provide the full art experience, we will be relying heavily on volunteers. These people will be thoroughly trained and have hospital clearance so that they may spend individual time with the children and family members. Because it is important that there is consistency in every aspect of the program Joe Nyiri will determine when the volunteer is qualified to provide individual instruction.
Medium
The first exposure to art will be with crayons and paper. As skills improve, they will be painting with acrylics on canvases, which will be displayed in each hospital room. We will also be painting wood silhouette cutouts and ceramics.
Overview
Over the years, the San Diego Zoo along with Joe Nyiri has developed a children's art program that is educational, stimulating and downright fun. With a few modifications, and special attention given to the immune needs of both our children and the animals, the program provides the ideal foundation from which we will build our Children's Rainforest Art Experience program. With a balanced mix of activities at the zoo, in the hospital, and at home, we will provide children and families with more than just a diversion from their pain and anxiety by giving them a positive and lasting tool that will enhance the beauty and vitality of their lives.
Zoo Visits
Zoo visits will take place every four weeks so that most children would experience this at least once during their inpatient/outpatient stay. By assigning a consistent day, such as the third Saturday of each month, these events become much easier to schedule for the families, teachers and volunteers.
The ideal attention span is about 3 - 3.5 hours for each session, with less time for children under six years of age. We do not exclude any family from the sessions, but parents of younger children are informed of their added responsibility. In order to build a strong understanding of the animal and its environment, we will use only 2 or 3 animals for each art session. With larger animals, we may spend our entire time with a single species.
Children are provided with disposable cameras, which enable them to further study the animals after their visit. This has been a great supplement to the zoo experience and encourages independent art activities.
