Art in Early Education

1) Supply Your Classroom

The first step to creating an environment that encourages the arts is supplying your classroom. Providing art supplies and musical instruments helps children experience the arts first-hand. Listening to music, especially clean-up songs or any that relate to what your little one is doing, is an example of supplying your classroom. Encouraging imagination through creative expression and play is another way to set up your students for artistic success.

2) Process Art Activities

Leading children through process art activities is another way of inviting flexible thinking into the classroom. This type of activity doesn’t involve set instructions and there isn’t one “right” outcome. This can include watercolor painting, playing with clay and painting with unique objects and tools. Providing children with a variety of materials and welcoming their ideas are tips for success!

3) Incorporate Dance

Integrating art into your classroom can be as simple as playing some music and encouraging your kids to dance! All you need to do is play a simple dance video, making this an easy addition to your classroom. Allowing a space for dance can increase comfortability with dance and help children relieve stress. Dancing can help students begin identifying emotions and incorporating them into their movement. Dance is another form of communication and can also be used to encourage active listening skills.

4) Immerse Your Classroom in Music

Music is a big part of many people’s lives. Incorporating music into early learning classrooms can help with their educational growth. Music can create a positive learning environment while benefiting children’s communication skills. One way to incorporate music into the classroom is by introducing an activity with cards that help kids associate songs with certain emotions. Music can even be used as a tool for memory when learning new information.

5) Encourage Music, Drama and Dance

Familiarizing kids with drama is an additional way to incorporate the arts into learning. Generating an experience for children is a great way to encourage their imaginative and creative growth. A teacher-in-role strategy includes the teacher leading kids through an interactive activity. This example encourages problem solving and is another creative way of building a space that’s welcome to the arts.