A young child’s development cannot occur in isolation. “Community connections give children a sense of belonging and help them develop social and other skills.” Moreover, education does not just happen in the classroom or event the home but in the context of a community. That is just one of the reasons why community events where young children and their families can make connections with their communities are so important. A great example is happening right now in Watertown Massachusetts with the “YardArt Watertown” community event. Sponsored by The Watertown Cultural Council, Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee and Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts “YardArt Watertown” is “a townwide exhibit of the ingenuity of over 130 artists and nonartists, families, science nerds, birdwatchers, sports lovers, and book worms.” Essentially, any person or business or organization in town can create an exhibit and then people in the community can travel around and check out all the art. Prior to ‘YardArt Watertown” starting, The Watertown Free Public Library’s Hatch Maker Space supported people in the creation of their ideas further increasing the community connections of this event. Events like this have the potential to have positive impacts on early childhood development and education in a myriad of ways.

First off, this event gets children outside and walking around their neighborhoods which gives them fresh air and exercise. The YardArt event also requires you to look at maps to find the art exhibits. Research has shown that looking at maps at a young age and using them to guide travel around familiar neighborhoods helps build children’s sense of direction and spatial thinking (this is especially true of a child is walking around the neighborhood or in a stroller and not being driven in a car). Therefore, YardArt is helping children build those spatial skills.

Participating in YardArt either by creating an art display or viewing art display helps a young children both develop their own creativity and artistic skills but also learn to appreciate others art.

But most important of all, “YardArt Watertown” offers young children a chance to be with their families as they most likely run into other neighbors appreciating the art or the people who put the display up in their homes. This builds community connection not just for the child but also for the family as a whole. These type of community connections for young children and their families and the neighborhoods they live in have positive impacts on both short term and long term development.

Below you can check out some of the “YardArt Watertown” exhibits along with viewing the interactive map. The art will be on display until April 2 2021.