By Bette Fetter, Founder and CEO of Young Rembrandts, Inc.

"Our attitude is the crayon that colors our world." Allen Klein.

Bright yellow school buses on the roads again remind us all the school year is underway. Both children and parents enter a new school year full of expectation for our students. Many of those expectations will be met, and great successes will abound. Sadly, some will not be met for a variety of reasons.

There is a lot of talk in the media and education community of the need to better develop our nation's children for the future that lies ahead. Old education methods of memorization and the development of linear thinking skills is not enough. While we need left-brain organization and thinking skills, it is critical we develop innovation, skill-based creativity and critical thinking skills in our children.

Now for a bit of shameless self-promotion! Young Rembrandts classes provide a very unique way to meet and exceed this need. Our one of a kind teaching method uses a left-brain teaching process to learn a right-brain skill, thereby providing children a whole brain activity. This is exactly what the new wave of educators are calling for. This is what Daniel Pink (A Whole New Mind) is heralding as a critical component of the coming Conceptual Age.

In Young Rembrandts classes, every week, every child in every class is actively developing the whole brain skills needed to be successful in their current academic pursuits as well as the exciting future that awaits us all.

The Benefits of Learning Art

Children who learn to draw using the Young Rembrandts method further develop spatial reasoning and fine motor skills. Children also learn order-sequencing abilities, visualization and self-discipline, often at a younger age than expected. Of course, the children also enjoy learning fundamental art skills throughout the Young Rembrandts program.

Today, as in the past, Young Rembrandts partners with pre-schools and elementary schools to either supply or augment their art education programs. Young Rembrandts has a solid reputation for offering well-organized classes and teaching original, high quality curriculum.

"Since beginning the [Young Rembrandts] classes, your instructor has been patient, professional, and insightful, taking time to give feedback about students' experience in her care," said Jennifer Walavalkar, administrator at the Growing Place Montessori. "I have recommended your program to a few of my colleagues and will continue to do so in the future."

The wide-ranging benefits of our program affect not only our students, parents and communities, but also our franchise owners who experience a high level of personal satisfaction and fulfillment," said Kim Swanson, director of franchise development.

"We have tools and measures in place to ensure that each Young Rembrandts owner is delivering a quality product and experience for every child," stresses Swanson. "We also have comprehensive operations, teacher training and method manuals as well as copyrighted, detailed lesson plans."

Currently, Young Rembrandts teaches about 30,000 students each week nationwide. The goal, Fetter notes, is to reach at least 200,000 students across the nation through parent-funded programs.

For more information about Young Rembrandts, its founder or its franchises, please visit www.youngrembrandts.com.