The children have been preparing for our annual Art Show, a major exhibit for the whole community. It’s especially exciting this year, as last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid.
How do you help children to think like Picasso or Van Gogh? How do you help them to feel creative and inspired?
We start by introducing children to the same tools that real artists use – paints in tubes, good brushes of many sizes, even well-loved palettes that are covered with years of paint.
We show them major pieces of art. I pan every work of art in these good books – slowly and thoughtfully – to the children. What I say makes the difference, and I do it with surprise and enthusiasm, as if there is a revelation:
“Connor, you can do this. See the mountains? You could paint this.”
“Eddie! You love blue. Look at the circles. You could paint this.”
I make sure I’ve made a comment to every child. It’s how you say what you say. Children look at me with saucer eyes and nod their heads. No-one has ever told them they can do this. ‘You can’ makes all the difference in the world to a child.
Then the fun begins! I introduce children to my old suitcase record player. I just put it on the floor at our Morning Meeting and ask, “What is this?” Of course every child is riveted. I open the cover and tell them it plays music. We learn about the parts and how it works. And then I pull out an old record album. This year it was Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
When the music explodes from the record player, it’s as if all the stars have aligned. Well they have, because I tell children,
“When you hear the music, it goes into your ears, and then into your brain, and into your heart. Then it shoots out your fingers, whoosh- like magic, so that you can paint.”
Music inspires art. The two are intertwined. Children painted to Vivaldi and Beethoven. They also painted to the Beatles and the Supremes, with an occasional dance party.
Children have been painting in earnest for weeks. So much has happened! Stay tuned for Part 2.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
So wonderful, Jennie!
Thank you, Ritu!
i love the record player introduction to them! and we’ll be having an art show in a few weeks, where each child creates a piece made from loose parts and shares it proudly
That’s wonderful. I love the loose parts theme. Do you have a record player and albums? The children would love it!
No but I need to get one ASAP!
The good news is they’re not expensive on Amazon. 😀
There you go
Yes!
I love the role of music in the children’s painting! I look forward to seeing their creations!!
Thank you, Liz. The two go together. Stay tuned!
Staying tuned, same time, same station!
😀
Painting, and dancing. Perfect education! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I think so, Pete. 🙂 Best to you.
Wonderful Art and Music lesson. I really enjoyed reading the progression of it.
Bringing the music in was inspired. How true, music is in all. ( I even wrote a poem on that).
I guess a few artists will come out of your classes.
Miriam
Thank you so much! The progression makes difference in how the children see themselves and their abilities. It’s a creativity stimulator. I do love how music influences art.
You go through such a wonderful process, Jennie. Its well planned, orchestrated and filled with love!
That’s so nice, Dan. Thank you!
Fantastic, Jennie! From you, the children learn the arts and their own hidden talents!
Thank you, GP!
I love how you introduce art to the children. Perfect! This will last their entire lives.
That’s so nice! Thank you, Darlene! 😊
I love that you not only show works of art that are famous and known, but also express to the children that they could be the creators. Then you go further to bring music into the equation. Music brings life to artwork. The connection between music and art allows the fluidness of creativity. Can’t wait to see what they kiddos created
You said it very well, Lori. That’s how it works. Thank you so much! I have lots to show. 🙂
So fun! I absolutely agree that music and art compliment one another.
Thank you, Kim! They really do. 🙂
I wasn’t into art until I became a teacher. Then, I realized how wonderful it is for kids. Good article.
I was much the same way, Jacqui. Thank you!
You can do this are powerful words. Sometimes I say them aloud to myself. Another fabulous teaching moment, Jennie!
That’s really all children need to hear, isn’t it (besides I love you)? Thank you, Pete. Did you ever have a child say that to you when you were struggling to do something? Yes, it’s powerful!
That is the real way to teach, tell children they can not belittle them and convince them they can’t!
Absolutely! 🙂
I’m so glad you showed the kids what a record player is/was, or they might never know. Also, teaching them a bit about the lives of great artists is a wonderful inspiration to them. My niece’s son learned about Van Gogh in Kindergarten and was all enthused, drawing his own version of Starry Night at home and telling us all about Vincent Van Gogh. You’re doing a good thing there, Jennie!
I love the story of your niece’s son! Learning about the artists makes the art come alive for children. Yes, that record player is golden. Thanks so much, Anneli!
I will always remember his enthusiasm. They made a video of him showing his version of Starry Night and telling all about his friend Vincent. So cute. The enthusiasm was really heartwarming and I was really pleased to see that you are doing this good thing for your Kindergarten kids. They will never forget it
That is so wonderful! He will always like the arts based on that experience. I do hope art is something that will stick with my preschoolers.
It will. 😉
🙂
Hi Jennie, this is such a wonderful example of excellent teaching! Art, in its variety of forms, is crucial for children to learn.
I definitely agree it’s important for children to learn. Thank you, Charles!
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Please look at this post on teaching music and art from that excellent teacher, Jennie!
Thank you so much, Charles!
I love how you explain the world, Jennie!!! And thank you for this wonderful reminder about how powerful/empowering our words can be: “‘You can’ makes all the difference in the world to a child.”
Your words are magical, Will. I love all you have to say. Yes, those two words to a child make a difference! Thank you so much.
Music s a great way to get the children to engage their creative minds. I have that Beatle Album too.
It is, John. Thank you. Glad you have that Beatles album, too. The children’s favorite song is #2, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’. I think they have good taste. 🙂
That song has the best arrangement on the album. The children have good taste.
Yes, they do! Honestly, I let them decide. And it does have the best arrangement. I think people between the ages of 4 and 70+ are missing out. 🙂
😁
Magical… Music and art!
Like flowers and bees. 🥰
Perfect pairs! ❤ xo
😍
I love the way you teach the children through the arts. So powerful!
Thank you!
You da woman!!! Where were you when I was in kindergarten, struggling to learn to draw something … anything that resembled something … and was finally told to go wash the paint off my face and sit down and read a book? Then, a few years later, my parents enrolled me in piano lessons, and the 2nd week the teacher refunded my mother’s money and said, “She’s tone deaf, no hope at all for her”. No wonder I have zero artistic talent!!! All kidding aside, great job, Jennie!
Oh, no!! See, unfortunately that’s what happens all the time with children. It’s so easy to tell a child they can. I want to have a word with your teachers! 🙂 Thank you, Jill!
Yes, parents and teachers must understand how important it is to encourage and motivate children! Ha ha … I’m pretty sure they are all long gone by now!
I just wish all the teachers who still do this, even unintentionally, were gone.
Me too, my friend. Please read the 3rd story in my post titled “Ranting … Again” this morning … as a teacher with a big heart, I know you will relate to it.
Will do!
I remember the moment I decided I wanted to BE an artist…1966…six years old…sitting in the movie theater…late — so stuck in the first row…staring up at the artwork of Bambi… I remember being totally overwhelmed by the sensory feast of the April Showers scene of rain in the forest…and every scene after…Too bad real life shot my art muse dead as Bambi’s mother. Who knows what would have happened had I had MORE teachers like you to catch the child artist in me and others when we feel lost in the woods..
I visualized your moment in the movie theater, and all the hopes and dreams. And then… it’s shot down. It’s as easy to tell a child they can as it is to tell a child they can’t. I’m glad I take the ‘can’ path. Thank you, KC! I will remember this every time I see an image of Bambi.
Yeah! Music and art is an extraordinary combination and the students are very lucky to have you introduce both to them – simultaneously. Love your comment of ‘You could paint this’!! What fantastic encouragement!
The two go hand in hand! Yes, it was a perfect time to introduce them simultaneously. It’s incredible how a few encouraging words can make a big impact on a child. Thank you, Annika. 😊
Magic!
Indeed!
Everybody can paint to good music, Jennie. I am delighted you still have a suitcase record players. That is so fantastic.
It’s that tangible hands-on element, plus a completely different way to make music, that makes it special and exciting for children. They love my record player! Thank you, Robbie.
Wonderful concepts, Jennie. I even find that I work better when listening to music.
Music can do wonders!
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Thank you!
You are really unbelievable, Jennie! 🙂 What are you not engaged in? 😉 There you having a lot of efforts, but i am sure this makes a very positive impact, for their future life. Best wishes, Michael
You are too kind, Michael. I do hope these activities leave a positive impact for their future. Thank you! 🙂
I am sure they will remember this forever, in a very positive manner. xx
I think there will be a remembrance with some of the children. 🥰
For sure, Jennie! Thinking back i am really missing this. We had only visited museums. But above all churches and castles. Of course, subliminally teaching us that we have to serve the Church and honor the merits of the nobility. Lol
I know what you mean. The best art in Florence is in the churches, not the museums. Sad.
😉
I am glad the new CBC curriculum came by in Kenya. Art is now a subject taught in primary school. Kids can discover and nurture their talents early in life
Wonderful!