PROGRAMS

Posted In Member Submitted Videos by dancetrip 7/23/2010 4:19:45 PM last updated by dancetrip

Kids love to be a "STAR" at In the Company of Kids!
In the Company of Kids Creative Arts Center was founded in 2006 and welcomes all children to their arts center in Burnsville. Their program for children with special needs was designed by special educators and autism professional, Jill Kuzma. Students learn not only the performing art of their choice, but they also focus on communication through all that they do in the form of listening skills, emotional expression and recognition, eye contact, conversational skills, non-verbal communications, and strategies for handling social situations.

The performing arts can provide a great base for learning. Theater can be the perfect vehicle to learn the power of communication, particularly for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Many emotions are scripted for theater such as shrugging shoulders, smiling, or lifting eyebrows to show non-verbally the emotion that is being expressed through the scripted words. In this way, these things can be practiced and appropriate behaviors can be learned. Music through voice and dance can be a great way to motivate and encourage children with other disabilities as well.

There are classes for everyone including parent/child classes and classes for nearly all age ranges and abilities and visual schedules or other strategies can be incorporated to help make the class fun and comfortable. Classes are held in the River Ridge Arts building and summer camps are going on through July and August.

Fall Registrations are underway and you will find class schedules, fees, etc on their website at www.cokartscenter.com.   Call 952-736-3644 for more information.

190 S. River Ridge Circle

Burnsville, Mn.  55337  (Across from Skateville and Grand Slam)