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Virtual Family Gallery

About this resource

Explore artworks on view at the MCA through movement, mindfulness, art-making, picture-book reading, and conversation prompts. With simple click-through instructions, embedded video and audio, and high-quality artwork images, this virtual gallery is designed to be used by children and their caregivers and teachers.

This project was created by Jacqui Reedy, MS in Child Development and BA in Early Childhood Education, as the culmination of a year-long placement in the MCA Learning Department undertaken as part of the graduate program at the Erikson Institute.

About the Creators

Jacqui Reedy

This project was conceived and designed by Jacqui Reedy, who has spent over 15 years working with young children and their families. Reedy earned a BA in early childhood education from Arizona State University and an MS in child development, with a concentration in special needs from the Erikson Institute. She has spent the last 11 years as a lead teacher at the State of Illinois Child Development Center. She desires to facilitate hands-on, relationship-based learning experiences for all children and their families. Currently, she lives in Chicago with her banjo-playing husband, Pete, and their dog, Tobi. She enjoys concerts, travel, camping, spending time with friends and family, and learning all there is to know about the history of Chicago.

Jeanette Banashak

Mindful Moments videos are presented by Jeanette Banashak, PhD, EdD. A former professor of creativity and education, and teacher of mindfulness in Chicago Public Elementary Schools, Jeanette Banashak teaches child development and social and emotional learning classes at Erikson Institute.

Leah Briggs

Yoga Movement videos presented by Leah Briggs, a veteran Chicago-area yoga instructor with 11 years of experience on the mat. In 2009 she began practicing Forrest Yoga and successfully recovered her body from the damage it sustained in childhood gymnastics and later running marathons. In the following year she moved to Chicago, only to return (during the winter, obviously!) to beautiful Santa Monica for her first E-RYT 200-hour certification. Five years after becoming a Forrest Yoga instructor, Briggs surrendered to the “flow” and earned her second 200-hour certification in Power Vinyasa. Now a YACEP certified yoga educator with over 10,000 hours of experience, Briggs's practice includes several different styles as well as the facilitation of workshops and fellow instructor education. Briggs is available for group or private instruction everywhere from the Blue Line, to Zoom, to your living room!

Research and Development

Jacqui Reedy’s class at the State of Illinois Child Development Center helped immensely with the content development and testing of the various activities presented. This project would not have been possible without them. Thank you Seth A., Elden S., Eliana J., Beatrix P., Mary S., Harriet S., Colt P., Cailee M., Isabella B., Rilee I., Sophia P., and Sonia C. for your learning and contributions.

Other videos were created by MCA staff in the Learning, Visual Arts, and Content Strategy departments.