Native Clevelanders Jim and Bob Levine have an ambitious agenda. The brothers’ leading-edge labor of love is known as CHABAM (Children Have Active Bodies and Minds), a unique childhood development center expected to open its doors in Woodmere early this fall to area toddlers, tykes and preteens. “We're not a preschool,” explains Jim Levine, “and we're not day care. We are a program where children can come for an hour or more to be exposed to music, art and movement in a progressive fashion, guided by a high-level staff.”

Opening its arms, hearts and minds to children who are six months to twelve years old, CHABAM (pronounced chuh-BAM) plans to run two programs in separate areas. The progressive program will incorporate a twelve-week curriculum, and each session will build upon learning from previous sessions. For example, pottery classes will give children the opportunity to develop fine motor skills as they create art out of clay, fire the piece and paint it. Jim Levine explains, “In addition to developing motor skills and creativity, children will learn how to express themselves.”

The other side of the house will offer programming on an as-needed basis. Parents may drop off their children for up to four hours at a time. “We'll still work with kids in the areas of music, art and movement – the only difference is that it won't be progressive,” says Jim Levine. He adds that children aged two years and younger will be able to get their first taste of CHABAM in parent/toddler programs.

Imagination and integration of motor, language and social skills will form the foundation of the CHABAM program. “A child might sing or read about a dinosaur, then they might do an art project about a dinosaur, and then they might act like a dinosaur,” notes Jim Levine, adding that this approach is designed to enhance both fine-motor and gross-motor development. “The key is that its purpose will be distinct; it will be geared toward actual skill enhancement. Children are more likely to develop a broader, deeper set of skills. Everything these kids will be doing will be grounded in some form of research.”

Programs will be developed under the guidance of pediatrician Dr. Arthur Lavin, a twenty-year veteran who runs his own practice, Advanced Pediatrics, in Beachwood. While Lavin will serve as primary consultant for day-to-day operations, his value to CHABAM will not end there. “He also will have his antennae out there for any cutting-edge research that may come down the pike,” says Jim Levine. Art and physical education specialists will conduct research to develop the evolving curriculum for CHABAM, with a program director to put it all together. The teacher-to-student ratio is anticipated to be approximately one to five, and the ten-member staff will work directly with Lavin. Teachers will be required to hold at least a bachelor degree in an early-childhood education field.
Jim Levine, Bob Levine and Arthur Lavin's cooperation and vision have created a unique program that is taking unprecedented strides in offering high-quality, valid childhood development activities. It is sure to intrigue Northeast Ohio's parents, as well as delight our children.

CHABAM is due to open in October. It will be located at 28700 Chagrin Boulevard in the Village
of Woodmere (across from Eton Square). For more information, please visit www.chabam.com or call
(216) 464-8500.