Studies demonstrate that an enriched, stimulating environment can enhance a child’s cognitive, academic, and social development. Providing such an environment is critical during the first five years, when 85% of brain growth occurs. Program participants discover effective new approaches to education that can:

• Enliven learning
• Foster problem solving, critical thinking, and cognitive skills
• Develop expressive and receptive language
• Introduce math and science concepts
• Promote large/small muscle coordination, movement, and body awareness
• Encourage social and emotional development
• Explore individual creativity
• Encourage motivation and enthusiasm for learning

A recent study supported through major funding from the U.S. Department of Education showed that preschool children who participated in Wolf Trap residencies scored higher on standardized tests measuring six areas: Initiative, Social Relations, Creative Representation, Language and Literacy, Logic and Mathematics, and Movement and Music.