Appreciating Music and the Arts

Young children benefit from exposure to all kinds of art forms -- in all kinds of places. Opportunities lie in attending concerts, operas, dances, plays, museums, street fairs, studios, and even rehearsals to see works in progress. Yet the most common experiences can occur during everyday activities in and out of your home as you listen to music or watch performances on television. As children learn to appreciate how music and art are created, they learn about its many forms and styles and foster a desire to create as well. Here are some ways you can be your child’s guide as she develops a love and understanding of the arts.

Take a sound tour

Record indoor and outdoor sounds and then ask your child to identify and talk about each sound. Help listen for variations like fast/slow, long/short, loud/soft, and high/low. Encourage your child to copy the sounds by repeating the different patterns.

Music for listening

Make time each day to listen to instrumental music. Choose different styles and repeat favorite selections often over time. Help your child listen for variations and the sounds of different instruments. Help identify opera, salsa, and other types of music.

Music makers everywhere

There is music on the radio, in stores, on television shows and commercials, and on the street. Make a list together of all the places your child has heard music.

A musical world tour

Play music and instruments from different countries around the world and then locate them on the map. Ask his friends to share music and instruments from their country of origin or culture.

A gallery of great art

Display images from great artists. Old calendars or museum postcards are a great source for prints. Label images with the artist’s name and style and be sure to include portraits, landscapes, abstract art, photography, and pictures of sculpture, pottery, glass, and more!

Develop displays

Showing off your child’s artwork helps foster an appreciation of herself as an artist. Try displaying photos of their process along with her products. Mount your child’s artwork with respect and in a place where she can see and talk about it.

Storybook art

Display favorite storybooks with different styles of illustration including drawing, painting, watercolor, and collage. Talk about how each illustrator created the images.

Artists at work

Ask your child to watch for artists on some favorite shows and in the community. Talk about all the different kinds of artists who work – fine artists, commercial photographers, furniture makers, jewelry designers, fashion, graphic designers, and more.