Visual and performing arts are a way for children to creatively express themselves, and can help kids develop an appreciation for the world around them. Even if you don’t have formal training or special talent, you can still nurture the arts in your child. Here’s how.
Make supplies accessible.
When your toddler is ready, let him experiment with chunky crayons and large paper. As he grows, provide a variety of materials that are accessible any time. Include drawing and painting supplies, as well as modeling clay, glue, old magazines, wallpaper, fabric scraps and nature items. Purchase a sketchbook and have him draw one picture a day using various media and date each page for future reference.
Look for art all around you. When you are outside, point out the trees and the effects the sun has on nature. Comment on the colors of the sunset and design of the clouds. Visit park statues and city murals. Ask your child if she wants to draw what she sees.
Hit the books.
Point out illustrations in children’s books. Talk about colors, shapes and media used. Who is the illustrator? What do you know about his life? Are other works of his similar? Find books or other resources that give the history of famous artists. Learn about how their lives, the period they lived in and their culture affected their subject and style. Encourage your child to tell stories with pictures rather than words.
‘Tis the season.
Take advantage of special times during the year to incorporate art into your child’s life – create Valentines, dye Easter eggs, carve pumpkins, decorate birthday cakes.
Tap into interests.
Use your child’s other interests as springboards for art projects. If he likes photography, give him a digital camera and have him take pictures. He could also make a photo collage or draw a depiction of the image he sees in a photo.
When commenting on your child’s art, point out the positive features of each piece and praise the process. Talk about small details to stimulate conversation about his work such as “I like how you used brown there.” Let her be carefree and whimsical – blue hair or purple trees show creativity and individuality. Display items around the house or host a neighborhood art exhibition to encourage his endeavors.
Go all out.
Take him to art museums and festivals. Call the museum before you go and ask if they have children’s activities, printed booklets and/or guides. When visiting festivals, stop and talk with the artists and learn about their styles and techniques.
Enroll in classes.
This exposes your child to a variety of materials and new techniques taught by trained individuals. It also gives her a chance to work alongside others her age.
Encourage pretend play.
Have a box of old clothes and accessories on hand so your child can play dress up. Have him pretend to be an animal or object. How would he move? What would he sound like? What would his personality be like? Can he make up a story and act it out? Encourage your child to pantomime rather than tell stories. Have him create hand puppets and put on a puppet show.
As your child gets older, encourage her to write a skit or find a play she can do with friends or siblings. Or have her put on a musical or dance performance. Make it into an all-out production by creating tickets, providing snacks and inviting family and friends.
When he is young, create simple, repeatable dance steps and encourage your child to engage in rhythmic movement to music. As he gets older, have him make up his own routines.
Experiment with music.
Help your child become familiar with differences in pitch and encourage her to sing songs. Purchase rhythm instruments she can experiment with, or have her create her own with simple household materials.
Rely on resources.
Expose your child to music- and story-formatted CDs. Encourage him to sing, dance or reenact what he hears. Include diverse cultures and genres. Read books about various professional dancers, musicians and theater performers. What made them unique? How did the culture and period they lived in influence their work?
Expose your child to various instruments at your local music store. Let her try a variety of musical instruments – rent them until she is ready to commit to playing long term. Enroll in classes or a camp where she can receive instruction.
Go to local dance, music and theater performances. After the production, discuss the event with your child. What did he like about it? What didn’t he like? Would he enjoy being part of something like this? If so, find out more about programs for children his age.
Record and replay.
Videotape your child while she is dancing, acting or performing music. Replay it and point out the positive features of what you observe.
Sanaa za kuona na za kuigiza ni njia ya watoto kujieleza kwa ubunifu, na zinaweza kuwasaidia watoto kuendeleza uthamini kwa ulimwengu unaowazunguka. Hata kama huna mafunzo rasmi au vipaji maalum, bado unaweza kukuza sanaa katika mtoto wako. Hapa ni jinsi. Fanya vifaa vipatikane. Mtoto wako anapokuwa tayari, mruhusu ajaribu kutumia kalamu na karatasi kubwa. Anapoendelea kukua, mpe vifaa mbalimbali vinavyoweza kupatikana wakati wowote. Kuingiza kuchora na uchoraji vifaa, kama vile modeling udongo, gundi, magazeti ya zamani, karatasi ya ukuta, vipande vya kitambaa na vitu asili. Ununue kitabu cha kuchora na umwambie achore picha moja kwa siku akitumia vyombo mbalimbali vya habari na kuweka tarehe ya kila ukurasa kwa ajili ya kumbukumbu ya wakati ujao. Tafuta sanaa kila mahali unapoishi. Unapokuwa nje, taja miti na athari za jua juu ya asili. Zungumza juu ya rangi za machweo ya jua na muundo wa mawingu. Tembelea sanamu za bustani na michoro ya ukuta ya jiji. Mwulize mtoto wako kama anataka kuchora kile anachokiona. Piga vitabu. Taja vielezi katika vitabu vya watoto. Kuzungumza kuhusu rangi, maumbo na vyombo vya habari kutumika. Ni nani mchoraji wa picha hizo? Unajua nini kuhusu maisha yake? Je, kazi zake nyingine zinafanana na hizo? Tafuta vitabu au vyanzo vingine vinavyoeleza historia ya wasanii mashuhuri. Jifunze jinsi maisha yao, kipindi walichokaa na utamaduni wao walivyoathiri mada na mtindo wao. Mtie moyo mtoto wako aseme hadithi kwa kutumia picha badala ya maneno. 'Tis msimu. Tumia wakati maalum wa mwaka kuingiza sanaa katika maisha ya mtoto wako - kuunda Valentines, rangi ya mayai ya Pasaka, kuchonga matango, kupamba keki za siku ya kuzaliwa. Fanya utafiti kuhusu mapendezi yako. Tumia mapendezi mengine ya mtoto wako kama kichocheo cha miradi ya sanaa. Ikiwa anapenda kupiga picha, mpe kamera ya dijiti na umwambie apige picha. Pia angeweza kutengeneza picha au kuchora picha ya picha anayoona kwenye picha. Unapotoa maoni juu ya kazi ya sanaa ya mtoto wako, taja sifa nzuri za kila kazi na umsifu. "Kuzungumza juu ya maelezo madogo ili kuchochea mazungumzo juu ya kazi yake kama vile ""Ninapenda jinsi ulivyotumia kahawia huko"" ""Mruhusu awe asiye na wasiwasi na wa ajabu"" ""Nywele za bluu au miti ya zambarau huonyesha ubunifu na utu." Weka vitu katika nyumba au uandike maonyesho ya sanaa ya jirani ili kumtia moyo afanye kazi. Nenda wote nje. Mpeleke kwenye majumba ya makumbusho ya sanaa na sherehe. Piga simu kwenye jumba la makumbusho kabla ya kwenda na uulize kama wana shughuli za watoto, vijitabu vilivyochapishwa na au miongozo. Unapotembelea sherehe, simama na kuzungumza na wasanii na kujifunza kuhusu mitindo na mbinu zao. Jiandikishe kwenye madarasa. Hii inaweka mtoto wako kwenye vifaa mbalimbali na mbinu mpya zinazofundishwa na watu waliozoezwa. Pia humpa nafasi ya kufanya kazi pamoja na wengine wa umri wake. Kuhamasisha kucheza kwa kujifanya. Weka sanduku la nguo za zamani na vifaa vya kuvutia kwa mkono ili mtoto wako aweze kucheza na mavazi. Mfanye ajionekane kuwa mnyama au kitu. Angetembeaje? Angekuwa na sauti gani? Mtu huyo angekuwa na utu gani? Je, anaweza kutunga hadithi na kuigiza? Mtie moyo mtoto wako aigize badala ya kusimulia hadithi. Mfanye atengeneze wanasesere wa mikono na aonyeshe maonyesho ya wanasesere. Wakati mtoto wako anapokuwa mkubwa, mtie moyo aandike mchezo wa kuigiza au ufanye na marafiki au ndugu zake. Au mwambie aonyeshe dansi au muziki. Fanya kuwa uzalishaji wote kwa kuunda tiketi, kutoa vitafunio na kualika familia na marafiki. Wakati mtoto wako ni mdogo, fanya hatua rahisi za kucheza na kumtia moyo aendelee kucheza kwa mdundo. Kadiri anavyoendelea kukua, mfanye afanye mambo yake mwenyewe. Jaribio la muziki. Msaidie mtoto wako kujua tofauti za sauti na umtia moyo kuimba nyimbo. Nunua vyombo vya muziki ambavyo anaweza kutumia, au umwombe ajitengenezee mwenyewe kwa kutumia vifaa rahisi vya nyumbani. Tegemea rasilimali. Mweleze mtoto wako CD zenye muziki na hadithi. Mtia moyo aimbe, acheze, au acheze tena yale anayosikia. Kutia ndani tamaduni na aina mbalimbali. Soma vitabu kuhusu wachezaji mbalimbali wa dansi, wanamuziki, na waigizaji wa maonyesho ya kuigiza. Ni nini kilichowafanya wawe wa pekee? Utamaduni na kipindi walichokuwa wakikaa kilikuwa na uvutano gani juu ya kazi yao? Mfunze mtoto wako muziki katika duka la muziki. Mruhusu ajaribu vyombo mbalimbali vya muziki - akazie hadi apate utayari wa kujitolea kucheza kwa muda mrefu. Kujiandikisha katika madarasa au kambi ambapo anaweza kupokea maagizo. Nenda kwenye dansi za mahali hapo, muziki na maonyesho ya michezo ya kuigiza. Baada ya maonyesho, zungumza na mtoto wako kuhusu tukio hilo. Alipenda nini kuhusu hilo? Ni nini ambacho hakupenda? Je, angefurahia kuwa sehemu ya jambo kama hili? Ikiwa ndivyo, tafuta habari zaidi kuhusu programu za watoto wa umri wake. Rekodi na kurudia. Piga video ya mtoto wako anapocheza dansi, anapocheza dansi, au anapocheza muziki. Rudia na uonyeshe mambo mazuri unayoona.