By Clyde Noel

photos by Joe Hu/Town Crier Top, FasTracKids instructor Laura Boderick leads students in an experiment during an after school program.

Loyola Corners is turning into a mecca for children’s programs, with three child-oriented businesses having opened there in the past couple of months and two more scheduled to open. FasTracKids, for 3- to 7-year-olds, and KidsArt, which offers art classes for children, are open for business. A barbershop for children also opened recently.

Laura Broderick, owner of FasTracKids, said the program has been devised to develop children’s gifts and talents and help them develop skills not taught at public school. The curriculum has been designed to stimulate brain development and give children tools for learning.

“It’s an enrichment education for children that focuses on communication and leadership,” Broderick said. “The program tunes the children’s skills in decision making, teaches them how to listen, and helps them communicate and think before they speak.”

FasTracKids is a franchise, and the Los Altos branch is the first to open in the Bay Area.

In a typical two-hour FasTracKids session, 20 percent is knowledge enrichment, 30 percent is application of the knowledge, 15 percent is leadership and personality development, 15 percent is creativity development, and 20 percent is speaking and communication skills.

FasTracKids education is enhanced with the use of an interactive white board.

Robin Blinde, owner of Kids-Art, said through a step-by-step method, children are taught basic drawing and painting skills, which results in artwork that is realistic and attractive.

Blinde went to the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and wanted to freelance but wound up working at a KidsArt branch in Los Angeles for two years. Her enjoyment comes from being around children who have talent and exhibit excitement with art.

“Children with any skill level or ability can do our program as long as there is interest in the program,” Blinde said. “Each student is taught on an individual basis, and they work on their own art within small groups.”

Beginning students use step-by-step instruction to create two-dimensional line drawings using basic shapes. They learn how to use light, medium and dark tones to create the appearance of three dimensions.

“Both programs promote individual confidence and creativity,” Broderick said. “Both programs provide the opportunity and discovery sessions to ensure the program is right for the child.”

Blinde agreed.

FasTracKids’ summer session is scheduled June 13 to Aug. 11.

FasTracKids is located at 941 Fremont Ave. in Loyola Corners. For more information, call 947-9550 or log on to www.progressiveenrichment.com.

KidsArt is located at 945 Fremont Ave. in Loyola Corners. For more information, call 948-4719 or log on to www.kidsartclasses.com.