SPARKS, Nev. -- Children learn best when they are having fun. The budding young artists at The Goddard School in Sparks is expressing their creativity to help sick children in the community.
"It's cool and it's fun!" Isaiah a kindergartner at Goddard said.
"I'm learning how to paint new things," Ainsley, another kindergartner said.
These kids are getting their hands dirty and their feet wet to learn about colors, textures and the world of art.
"The art is great about creativity, self-expression, gaining confidence and plus there's so much tying into creativity with the ability to think outside the box, which is so important later in life," Shauna Aragon, director of education said.
Their motto is learn by playing. For an hour and a half each day, these kids go through stations where they are exposed to not only reading, math and science, but also art.
"It helps with their worldview education and it just exposes them to unique items that encompass our world and the past that we have," Melissa Hephy-Ramirez, kindergarten teacher said.
During the entire month of March, these pint-sized Picassos were immersed into everything art, from its history, to different styles, even hands-on techniques.
"At this early age, they're so curious they're just like sponges that just soak everything up and through all the different types of art that we went through, they were just enthusiastic and their curiosity and creativity just bubbled to the top," Aragon said.
Children painted a variety of things ranging from animals, to family portraits, to mythical creatures.
"I painted a mermaid watching the volcano explode and the dolphin is going to jump up over her," Ainsley said.
These young Van Goghs and Michaelangelos are also learning about the artistic tradition of giving back. They've recreated famous masterpieces to sell at a silent auction to inspire other children and help their dreams come true.
"We wanted to support make-a-wish because so many of the children get hope and inspiration through the wishes they grant," Aragon said.
"It's just about exposure and showing them different things and helping them understand different aspects of our world," Hephy-Ramirez said.