CreativeArt Workshops introduces Recipes for learning Programs. Each program introduced works as a team to learn how to work together. Signing is a culture that when experienced through music will create an understanding of the challenges we face. E.M.B.R.A.C.E. (Exercise to Music to Build, Relate, Alleviate, Communicate Educate) Programs for the Growing and Aging Brain Signing as an exercise E.M.B.R.A.C.E. is the first of an educational program series created from Recipes for Learning to help maintain a healthy lifestyle; E.M.B.R.A.C.E is a unique recipe that is both fun and educational. It is a beneficial program to a healthy lifestyle with a purpose. It began in adult communities and has a great potential to become a wide spread program for everyone to enjoy. I have embraced the aging community over the years working as a Recreation Director. Prior to working in geriatrics, I have been instrumental as an educator for the public-school system with a focus on special education needs through science and crafts. I have studied the behaviors of each age group through a variety of therapies. I researched the benefits that exercise therapy, music therapy and dance therapy have in the process of development, aging and dementia. This program uses these therapies along with language to nourish the brain, together I have adapted a lifestyle with purpose. E.M.B.R.A.C.E proves to be educational and fun. Blended with healthy nutrition choices the E.M.B.R.A.C.E program will enhance and improve life for all ages. In my research I have seen that switching between multiple languages requires constant mental stimulation, Exercise helps increase focus, Music reduces stress and will enhance motivation, fingerspelling to music is a Dance that requires continuous and timely decision making, while learning a new language stimulates all parts of the brain. Together these therapies make an extreme impact for a healthy brain, this is a fun and rewarding program for all ages. I have focused on the elderly for brain health and communication with this first introduction to E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Incorporating these therapies have brought much change to the communities I’ve worked in. I am introducing Signing as an exercise to improve fine motor skills, eye hand coordination, strength and grip as well adding a new form of communication to this population. These programs nourish the brains of infants to the elderly and everyone in between. E.M.B.R.A.C.E. was developed through the eyes of an Educator and Activity Director by observing the behaviors of learning needs at different stages of life. As an educator I found that children at all levels absorb new things like sponges, they learn what they live and mimic what we do. As we grow we embrace what we have learned, continue to learn and apply what we learn to fit into our lives. As we age we teach what we have learned and apply it to our needs. This observation was the inspiration behind the development of all Recipes for Learning programs. Recipes as a direction for learning is the catalysis for this program series. E.M.B.R.A.C.E was created to explore the why in your day. Why, should I get up? Why get out of bed? Why am I still here? Then to the “no none needs me anymore” and Why bother. Recipes for Learning was created to change the way we think, the way we feel and how we learn while giving the understanding of need. I have found the need for productive programs with a purpose to be both rewarding and exciting. Teaching signing to song lends the ability to communicate naturally. Exercising using finger signs with pronounced movement and hand gestures lends the benefit of strengthening and lubricating muscles and joints. The exercises in each program can easily be altered to the need of the individual or group in the program. The study of a variety of therapies were used in the development of Recipes for Learning. E.M.B.R.A.C.E. applies these therapies to enhance music and exercise programs and has proven to be beneficial to all in many ways. My program uses simple fingerspelling to impact brain heath while giving exposure to culture. E.M.B.R.A.C.E programs will stimulate the minds in children as well as adults. Each program comes complete with worksheets and explicit direction. The younger population learn a new culture and communication with an understanding of challenges and disabilities. This population will learn to accept differences naturally while learning communication techniques by working together. The older population are just as eager to learn something new, this population needs to maintain their purpose in life. Although the purpose has changed from taking care of things in their lives to, someone taking care of things for them, the need for being needed is still there. E.M.B.R.A.C.E. can help if not stop the process of feeling “no one needs me” that one develops through aging life changes. E.M.B.R.A.C.E. takes therapies that work and applies them to activities that complement each of them. This is the start of rewarding educational programs with many health benefits. When adding good nutritional choices E.M.B.R.A.C.E is the recipe for a healthy lifestyle and wonderful Multigenerational Programs.
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JulieAnn Vedovino
