VSA arts of Wisconsin's nationally recognized Early Childhood program, which serves children from birth to age 6, provides arts programming at early childhood sites across the state. Our programs focus on working with teachers whose classrooms have children with disabilities.

VSA provides credit for early childhood educators through The Registry. Our early childhood programs can also be applied to Professional Development Plans for the Department of Public Instruction.

The Early Childhood Healthy Foundations initiative began in 1992 and uses the arts as a tool 1) to better prepare children with disabilities, and those at risk, to succeed when they enter the typical school environment; 2) to train early childhood educators to use the arts to foster literacy and support physical, social and emotional growth, and 3) encourage the role of parents in providing optimal growth and development for their children. This arts-in-education program provides a framework for creating comprehensive learning experiences, evaluating, and improving conditions for children with disabilities, ages birth to 6.

Studies have shown that young children with developmental delays and those in need of intervening services benefit from early intervention and quality preschool programs. Early intervention also promotes inclusion by providing children with a "jump start" to learning.