PISCATAWAY – Adorable kids and adoptable dogs − what could be a better combination to highlight the importance of pet adoption?
Pre-K students at the school district’s Children’s Corner Preschool use their talents to draw pictures of dogs in need of homes. Young artists create their artwork based on photos from the Edison Animal Shelter.
Art teacher Paige Berkowitz initiated the project, as well as a pet food drive, to allow her students to work on their drawing skills while making a special connection with the waiting animals. adoptable.” is learning about the Pet Vet theme, so one of their centers is pet adoption,” he said. “I thought it would be a great idea to have them draw pictures of actual dogs in our area that need to be adopted. There are so many amazing animals right here in our county that need loving homes, so I wanted to raise awareness about on that.”
The art project is a way for preschoolers to learn to draw what they see, while interacting with the dogs at the shelter.
“My students love drawing dogs,” says Berkowitz. “They thought all the dogs were cute and renamed them whatever they wanted. Some students drew lots of dogs on their papers so each dog had a friend. Other students made their dogs rainbows because they learned let’s talk about the colors of the rainbow.”
Children’s Corner Principal Jennifer Sernotti said Pet Vet is one of the school’s theme-based centers that allows students to learn about the world and their place in it. In this theme, students learn about different pets and how to care for them.
He credits Berkowitz’s unique project for supporting student learning while also working toward a broader goal.
“It’s inspiring to see our students learn the value of kindness and giving,” Sernotti said. “Even our youngest students can help our community.”
Rebekah Sterlacci, Piscataway’s supervisor of visual and performing arts, also praised Berkowitz’s work.
“I think it’s a fantastic way to build community connections and tap into our department’s belief that art changes everything,” Sterlacci said.
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Berkowitz, an animal lover with an adopted pit bull/lab mix named Teeq, also started a pet food drive at Children’s Corner to benefit the Edison Animal Shelter. Students and families can bring dog and cat food, food, toys, blankets, or towels until April 12.
“I’m a huge animal lover so helping our local animals and animal shelters is important to me,” Berkowitz said.
Berkowitz reached out to the Edison Animal Shelter because she wanted to help a local pet adoption center. The shelter gave him pictures of dogs waiting for adoption.
And now the shelter plans to use the children’s drawings on its website and social media.
“I loved this art project and I’m excited to have a whole box of pet food donations to give to the Edison Animal Shelter,” she said.
Berkowitz also hopes the project can instill in preschoolers a lifelong love of animals and helping others.
“I hope my students go home and tell their families about the dogs and cats that need homes in our area, and I hope they have a passion to help our community by giving, even it’s food for animals or people in need,” Berkowitz said.
Children’s Corner has expanded in recent years thanks to New Jersey Preschool Expansion Aid, and now offers free preschool in three locations, serving more than 600 3- and 4-year-olds. Classrooms are designed with learning centers focused on literacy, blocks and puzzles, science exploration, dramatic play, music and art.
“We have a very good preschool program in Piscataway,” said Superintendent Dr. Frank Ranelli. “It sets the foundation for understanding so many areas of communication. It helps teach communication, problem solving, teamwork, and really understanding socialization. Ms. Berkowitz’s unique project is a perfect fit -fits that mission, helping our youngest students develop their artistic skills as well as empathy and a sense of community.”
