“Where words fail, music speaks.”
~Hans Christian Andersen~
Music is at the heart of every emotion- inspiring poets, writers, and artists.
I use music to inspire my preschoolers to paint. Oh boy, do I ever! First I bring in my record player, which instantly becomes the coolest, newest piece of technology children have ever seen. I take ‘forever’ to show children how it works. Rubbing the needle under the arm to make a big sound silences children. They are in awe.
Then, I pull out a record album, something they have never seen, and I tell children, “This is the music. I’ll put it onto the record player. Just watch.”
Oh, they watched with wide eyes.
The first piece of music I always play is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, because the music starts slow and quickly builds to a crescendo. Again, children are just flummoxed.
As the music plays I become as excited as the music, and I tell children, “Here’s what happens; the music goes into your ears and then into your brain. Then it shoots out of your fingers like shining stars. It helps you to paint.”
And that’s how music helps my preschoolers to paint and feel inspired. We’re painting in earnest, as we prepare for our annual Art Show. Oh, Beethoven is only one of the many record albums I play. After all, it takes many kinds of music to inspire many kinds of children.
From classical to rock to Broadway, I play it all. This year I’m playing Doin’ The Twist by Joey Dee and the Starliters. Maybe we’ll practice the ‘one two three kick, one two three jump.’
Honestly, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Handel’s Water Music are just what children need to listen to as they paint. After all, we’re preparing for our annual Art Show in April.
Jennie
P.S. We begin to paint this week, with real artist’s paints in tubes, squeezed onto a palette. Stay tuned!
A Teacher's Reflections 
Music, books, art, these are the things that awaken young minds. By bringing in your record player, you are including history too! A great selection of music. Miss Roll played Peter & The Wolf for us. I still recall that day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjnTXvRuDic
Yes, these are the things that awaken young minds. Miss Roll would agree. The record player brings in ‘new technology’, as children don’t see this as history. I’m glad you love the music selection. The fact that you remember Miss Roll playing Peter & the Wolf speaks volumes for all she did. I especially like the Disney version. Many thanks, Darlene!
You are the most brilliant of teachers Jennie. I will be putting my music on when I go to paint in my shed this afternoon. I could do with some Beethoven to inspire me!
Oh yes, paint to music in your shed! Beethoven is very inspiring. Many thanks, FR!
Such small children must think they are witnessing a miracle to hear music coming from a plastic disc with a needle balancing on it. They have probably never even seen a CD or DVD at home.
Best wishes, Pete.
That’s exactly what happens, Pete. It’s wonderful! Many thanks!
I love the mix and the magical machine playing the music!
I love how you titled the record player ‘the magical machine’. It really is!
The Four Seasons is way up my list of classical music. Glad your students are enjoying it.
Oh, it is the best! I’m so glad you like it. One year I asked the children which of the four seasons they wanted to hear before they painted. That was wonderful!
Music inspires all of us to do our best. It seems to put us in the mood. Witness athletes listening intently before their contests. You’ve demonstrated over the years how it influences your young artists to create magnificent pieces. Personally, I like a couple of pieces by the ‘B52’ rock group to push me harder on the elliptical at the gym. Looking forward to the kids’ paintings. It’s always amazing👍.
Well said, Steve. It really does. I hadn’t thought about athletes, but of course music inspires them, like it inspires you at the gym. So far we have completed two pieces of art, the Eiffel Tower and Pointillism, neither of which required music to inspire. Next is Impressionism, and that will introduce music to inspire their art – big time!
You have such high standards for your students, Jennie. Is it typical of your school’s curriculum, in general?
I do this with the record player in March and April as we prepare for our annual Art Show. I play music and sing throughout the year, mostly with the autoharp. Every classroom is different. The younger teachers put things up on the big screen, which I hate. Kids need hands-on learning.
I couldn’t agree more👍
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Great idea, Jennie. Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky is another good one.
Thank you, John! I have that ready to listen.
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I’m really glad that LPs and record players have made a comeback. I remember my teacher playing music in the classroom. It helped develop my love of classical music.
I’m glad, too! For children, this is all new technology, and they’re fascinated. How wonderful that you remember your teacher playing music! No wonder you love classical music.
If there had been music like this playing while I sat through art class as a child, I might have actually liked art. My goal in art class was always to be the first one done so I could do something else. Quality was of no concern. The result? Today, I am the worst drawer of anyone I know! No one wants to be on my team at Pictionary 🙂
Me, too! Art would have been meaningful with music, but that never happened at school. My stick figures are pathetic. Thank goodness I can inspire children’s art with music.
Great music to inspire the students – and I bet the parents are also excited that their children get to work with paint from tubes. Such a blessing for parents who want their children to explore with extras
Yes on all counts!!! Thank you, Yvette.
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Music is so inspirational, and what a wonderful idea to play it to the children when they’re making art!
Thank you!
What a wonderful experience for the children.
What fun!
Yes!
I did Square Dancing with my grade 2 students and brought in a record player and albums. They couldn’t believe it. They called the records giant CDs. It was so much fun. I love Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. I hope you all enjoy your painting sessions this week.
That’s wonderful, Carla! Giant CDs…what a hoot! Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is definitely a favorite. Many thanks.
MAGIC!!!! Yay!! Jennie is a magician!
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A classic song to get those painterly juices flowing! I love the annual Art Show!!
Yes! This year’s group is not an artsy group, so we’ll see how the Art Show goes. Right now they’re doing Pointillism and it’s going pretty well.
Interesting! I assumed all your classes were artsy.
Well, each year is different. Some years my class is full of builders and engineers, some years artsy. This year is dramatic play. All are important. So far, our Eiffel Tower and Pointillism have been good. Tomorrow we start on the toughie, Impressionism. It’s all about how I present the art. If I show Haystacks or Large Blue Horses, I might stop and say, “Marie, you can do this!” That’s so inspiring to all the children.
Music is such an important element of a classroom. I can just picture the kids having fun doing the twist.
It really is, Pete. I’ll let you know how they like doing the twist. 😀
I have that Beatles album:) Such wonderful activities for your students!
I love that album!! Mine is ‘well-loved’, and I’m sure yours is, too. Thanks so much, Becky.
It certainly is, Jennie!
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Lol Jennie you are so clever to teach the children so much of your wisdom. I love this idea of painting to music….it’s so inspiring..I love what you say “Here’s what happens; the music goes into your ears and then into your brain. Then it shoots out of your fingers like shining stars. It helps you to paint.” I love that it’s so vivid a thought 💜💜
I wish you could be there as I say those words to the children!! Thanks so much, Willow. 💕
your children are so lucky to have you as their teacher.
Tomorrow Gloria and Earl learn about the difference between the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack and she scales a flag pole! 💜🥰
I am SOOO excited!!!
Lovely music that children like and so nice to make them paint with music on. You are an excellent teacher Jennie ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your kind words, Kamal! 🥰