Art and Music - Creative Expressions

1 March 08 Kindermusik International

Colouring books have been around for a long time. You coloured, your mother coloured, and your grandmother coloured in colouring books. If you want a time-filler or a way to keep your child busy, colouring books are fine. On the other hand, if you would like to encourage your toddler to express originality, experiment, and think as well as act creatively – colouring books alone are not the answer.

Have available for your toddler a variety of art tools such as paints, markers, crayons, paper, cardboard, glue, string, and child's scissors. A collection of music tools such as homemade instruments, a variety of music, scarves, ribbons, and hoops can set the stage for music creativity. The common factor in creative expression through art and music is to think one's own thoughts and to act upon them. With a diversity of tools from which to choose, there are rich possibilities for art and music expression.

Music and art can meet in the design, creation, and artistic embellishment of a simple, homemade musical instrument. What will you make together with your toddler? Help assemble a stockpile of possible instrument "ingredients," then proceed with your child's most active participation. A favourite is the shaker instrument. There is no special “recipe” for this, but here are some ideas to get you started.

You'll need:

· A container (plastic water bottle or empty container, etc.)

· Rattling pieces that are safe for children under the age of three (cereal, rice, pasta, etc.)

· Decorative materials (construction paper, string, scraps of fabric, magic markers, glitter, seashells, etc.)

Directions:

1. Select container and rattling pieces, and partially fill container with pieces.

2. Seal container so pieces cannot escape. (Make seal strong enough so that you can shake vigorously with confidence!)

3. Decorate! Allow your child to take the lead as much as possible. For younger toddlers, offer choices as you go through the process to help guide the process.

4. When the shaker is complete, shake it! Sing a familiar song as you shake to the steady beat or turn on some music and have a "shake-along."

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