Paoli's Center on Central is a healing and creative arts oasis for kids of all ages and abilities

From music to art to theater to yoga to therapy,  Paoli's Center on Central has a wide range of programs all under one very charming roof for kids of all ages and abilities and their parents.

"The Center’s mission is to provide the finest programs in stress management, personal enrichment and exercise in one-on-one and group settings," said Center manager Katie Opher who is a child development and creative art therapy expert.

Approximately 20 providers offer services at the Center.  Though the selection of offerings is big, the relatively small size of the staff allows the Center to be flexible and creative in responding to the needs of the community.  

Day camps are offered during in-service days for local schools, and a Spanish class will be offered in the fall since several local districts have made cutbacks to foreign language programs.  Summer camps and birthday parties are also available.

"Last fall, we organized a camp for five kindergartners whose school did not begin until after Labor Day,' Opher said.

Andrew and Caroline (and me) were invited to participate in a "Mommy and Me" music class, which is held on Fridays at 10 a.m.  The house itself is everything it should be to host programs to enrich families: clean, sunny, organized and with brightly colored rooms for play and soothing rooms for therapy and learning.

The class was led by Opher who played guitar and encouraged students to explore instruments. All class participants are given a CD copy of the songs used in class. Caroline is particulary smitten with "Hello Everybody Hello" and now sings "hell-whoah eva bod eeee, hell-woah" all the time.  Andrew got to make his own drum set with bongos and other percussion instruments.

Here is a sample of the programs offered by the Center.   Check the Center's website for a full listing, or contact Opher to figure out what program best fits your child's needs.

Classes for "mainstream" kids

1. Young Rembrant Art Classes (pre-school, elementary school, middle school)
2. Mommy (or Daddy or caregiver) and me music (infant through kindergarten)
3. Everybody Play (Music ages 3 - 5)
4. Music geared to homeschoolers
5. Music lessons
6. Pottery
7. Yoga for kids and teens
8. Mommy (or Daddy or caregiver) and me Yoga
9. Theater

Classes for kids with special needs

1. Music therapy: Social skills for elementary and middle school students
2. Music therapy: Individual sessions
3. Arts based counseling
4. Special needs adaptive dance class
5. Dance movement therapy

Workshops and classes  for parents

1. Pilates mat class
2. Yoga (adult)
3. Pre and post-natal yoga
4. Kettlebell
5. Food literacy workshop (2/18)
6. Exploring and embracing different learning styles (3/18)

For more information: 

The Center on Central

24 W. Central Ave.

Paoli, Pa.

610-710-1487