every child will love the feeling art gives!
HEY FRIENDS! IT’S TIME FOR THE MIGHTY JUNGLE ARTIST JAMBOREE!
It is another beautiful day in the Mighty Jungle and Regis and Mimi lead a pride of teachers and young artists on an exciting day preparing for the Mighty Jungle Artist Jamboree.
Together we will learn that art is everywhere and everyone is an artist. We will be introduced to a family of characters that illustrate the value of creative exploration in the health and happiness of our bodies, our minds and communities.
Regis and Mimi want everyone to see that creativity is inside all of us. It comes in many levels and it comes out in many ways. Not everyone will paint like Picasso or sing like Pavarotti and what a BORING world it would be if we all did. The most important thing to remember is that Picasso and Pavarotti could not build a tall tower like you can with your building blocks, decorate cupcakes like you or do the tricks you do on your skateboard.
Being creative means using your ideas to make art, have fun and solve problems.
THE POWER OF ART IS IN THE DOING.
Your drawings can hang in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France or on a refrigerator in Paris, Kentucky - YOU MADE IT!
You can sing in a band on the world stage or stage a play for only you and your Teddy Bear -YOU DO IT!
What is Be a Lion
Be a Lion is a child enrichment and family engagement program focused on the benefits of a deeper connection to the arts and all creative exploration and expression.
The program is delivered through a 52-page educational story and activity book, The Mighty Jungle Jamboree that includes a special educator section highlighting the benefits of art. The program is accentuated by Posters, stickers and additional activity pages for continued family engagement.
A Learning & Engagement Guide for Be a Lion has been developed to facilitate rapid inclusion and seamless integration with any public, private or homeschooling curriculum.
Written by Kentucky artist and musician, Dave Wilson and Guy Gilchrist, best know as Jim Henson’s cartoonist, Be a Lion is expertly developed for K-3 with many other special need, adult learning and rehabilitation program applications.
What does it mean to "Be a Lion?"
Be a Lion is based upon the principle that we must always turn and face trouble and pain with confidence and strength.
“If a lion is chasing you he WILL catch you if you try to run and hide. Your best hope is to turn and face him down. Like a lion!”
- Miss Marty
We believe the science now proves that art and creative expression is key to the development of those powerful weapons for every child’s emotional quiver.
Did someone say science?
The science is in and art really is the most important of all of our “subjects” in school. From preparing a child’s physical development of gross motor skills to the most involved therapy to heal deep emotional trauma – art teaches us so much beyond a pretty picture on a wall or a favorite
song on the radio. Art truly is the very foundational tool kit that allows the learning of every other subject.
We invite you to a simple google search for “Benefits of Art in Early Childhood Development” to begin to understand just how study after study reveals the same things – KIDS NEED ART!
We’ve linked an article, "How the Arts Benefit Your Children Academically and Behaviorally," by Grace Chen to get you started .
What is hidden in the Mighty Jungle
Be a Lion - The Mighty Jungle Artist Jamboree is a wonderful tool for any parent, teacher, administrator, medical practice or clergy to engage or children in the magic of art....wait, we mean THE SCIENCE OF ART!
Our fast-paced and digitally connected world has left damage as often as it achieves great advancements. We are in a time where our children are experiencing what many have termed "The Death of the Imagination." Our children are losing the desire and the time for simple "play."
Be a Lion is designed to fill three primary goals
- Foster necessary imagining through individualized play
- Explore application through role play and theatrics
- Encourage gross and fine motor skills
Our Mission
Be a Lion is a Healing Through Art program from the creative minds at
Tuska Studio www.tuska.com
Tuska Studio is the for-profit, eternal embodiment of the spirit, philosophy and work of American artist, Kentuckian and University of Kentucky professor, John Regis Tuska (1931 – 1998)
Beyond Be a Lion, Tuska Studio produces Healing Through Art programs, publications and classes for every age group including:
- Finding You at the Zoo by Joel Katte with illustrations by Tuska
- Mythos: Tuska’s art of self reflection
- One Bead-One Story: Clay’s power to heal.