This Franchise Friday we celebrate Yolanda Smith (top photo), of Ashburn, VA. Yolanda has owned and operated Abrakadoodle of Loudoun County since January of this year, following a career as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager in a real estate investment company. Launching a children’s art education business made a lot of sense to Yolanda,…
Abrakadoodle most certainly believes in the importance of art as part of a student’s balanced education. Americans love buzzwords and what’s trending, which in the case of education is a current focus on STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). A STEM program is one branch (pardon the pun) of a child’s total education. Many key…
Ten years ago Pat Lakatta purchased her Abrakadoodle-Baltimore franchise. Ms. Lakatta reflects that “My love of kids drew me to this concept. I was very taken with Abrakadoodle and its co-founders Mary Rogers and Rosemarie Hartnett, and I’ve always been a child advocate.” Although Pat wondered if her independent streak would fit with a franchise…
When children are free to express their ideas, we all benefit. As parents, we can enjoy a view into what inspires our children. Allowing children to create art without constraints provides great fodder for conversation – never judgment. Some children naturally inject humor into their art, while others convey interesting visual metaphors. Give a child…
MaryAnn Kohl inspires artful adventures for kids “Kids need space to create,” is the simple guidance that award-winning author of art activity books MaryAnn Kohl offers to parents who are getting involved in their children’s arty play. Given freedom to explore and make choices, children are more likely to use their own ideas in creating…
Art is impactful and worthy of investment. This was a message that resonated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Allen Academy in Detroit, which on Monday, January 14th formally opened a spacious, newly renovated space that will be devoted to Abrakadoodle’s art program. According to Dawna Kelly, Director of Abrakadoodle-Wayne County, “We are honored by…
Abrakadoodle joins millions each year in celebrating Lights On Afterschool, a campaign of the Afterschool Alliance, which recognizes the importance of providing safe, strong afterschool options for children nationwide. In an interview on Education Nation, former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said “Not just safe but learning” when speaking about children’s experiences in afterschool programs….
