After the birth of her daughter in 1999, Josie Grignon was watching television when the first reports of the tragedy at Columbine High School were broadcast. Watching the televised report, Josie became emotionally charged by the images she saw. As a certified elementary school teacher, she began to realize that there must be something that we were neglecting to teach our children, and that as a society, we were more focused on simply putting "Band-Aids" on the symptoms, rather than addressing the underlying causative factors.

As she sat in her rocking chair feeding her newborn daughter, Josie would sit quietly, listen to relaxing music, and practice deep breathing exercises. Each day after she put her daughter down for a nap, she would go to her computer and begin to type, slowly assembling the outline of a program that would foster and improve social, emotional, physical, and behavioral growth in children through holistic practices and creative arts expression.

In 2002, Josie founded Healthy Expressions Education, Inc. to provide wellness programming to children and youth through the Rainbow Play Program®. Healthy Expressions' staff has done programming at Berea Children's Home, the Positive Education Program, Cleveland City Schools, The Child Garden, Westlake Recreation Center, and Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland, and Citizen's Academy School. In Spring 2005, Healthy Expressions Education, Inc. will be doing workshops at Holden Arboretum, and discussions are currently underway to bring their programs to many other local children's facilities.

We recently spent a fascinating afternoon visiting with Josie and listening as she described the procedures and life-long benefits provided by her programs;

Healthy Expressions Education, Inc. provides research based strategies that improve social, emotional, behavioral, and physical wellness. Our programs offer tools that improve mental and physical well-being for children and adults. We have the only curriculum based program in the region that integrates holistic practices and the creative arts, and the results are extremely positive!

The Rainbow Play Program® was developed to enhance the physical and mental health of children. Through the five key components delivered by wellness educators, children gain a set of health and empowerment skills that help them manage life more effectively. What's truly unique about the Rainbow Play Program® is the combination of wellness strategies that include yoga, creative arts, traditional fitness exercises, and value building games. When brought together, these activities foster overall life balance in children while giving parents' and teachers' support and enrichment.

Through the Rainbow Play Program®, children improve their group cooperation skills and increase their strength and flexibility. Their motor skills development is enhanced as they practice creative movement and expression, and we find that they enjoy improved listening skills and a new found positive self esteem. Rainbow Play® is a fun program that goes beyond fitness to include exercises that support the emotional, social, and mental well-being of participating children. It's holistic fun for the "whole" child!

Healthy Expressions Education's Rainbow Play Program® is a great program for day care centers, church youth programs, recreation centers, public and private schools, youth organizations, and children's health centers. Call Healthy Expressions Education, Inc. today and don't forget to tell them that The Advocate sent you!

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