Art, Empathy and the Power of We Care

All YWCA Minneapolis Early Childhood Education Centers receive music, art and STEM instruction. Additionally, our Early Childhood Education teacher leadership created two curriculums to support the socio-emotional needs of children and build their confidence, cultural connection and self-regulation.  

For Tricia Olson Pauly, Senior Enrichment Specialist, art and social responsibility go hand in hand. 

“Art brings me hope. Art is in everything!” She laughs. “Teach children to use art safely, then make it accessible to them. Then watch the transformation through the outlet of art.” 

Tricia knows that learning to manage big feelings and care for one another is part of that transformation. She co-authored YWCA’s We Care curriculum. “’Social responsibility’ means teaching kids to have care, compassion and choice.” The program has three tiers: Classroom Foundations, Home and School and Larger Community.  

Here’s what the curriculum looks like in action:  

Step 1: A preschool classroom makes animal masks, learns about and discusses what animals need to be safe, cared for and loved.  

Step 2: The classroom takes up a donation drive for an animal shelter, with letters sent home to get families involved.

Step 3: The class does a project and donates to an animal rescue.

This same framework can be applied to any topic or lesson, and Tricia sees its impact every day in the classroom. 

“If a child can take a break and self-regulate and find compassion, can you imagine our future? Can you imagine a world where kids have a desire to work together, truly taking other perspectives and wishing each other well?" 

At YWCA Minneapolis, we can.  

Care, compassion and emotional well-being extend beyond the classroom curriculum. YWCA preschoolers also had the opportunity to spend time with therapy dogs through a partnership with You're Not Alone, a nonprofit focused on mental health.