Creative Arts

Personal Definition- Refers to how infants and toddlers express themselves through various forms of art, music, movement, and pretend play. At this age, creative expression is more about the process than the final product. It supports imagination, self-expression, sensory exploration, and emotional development. To support this KDI using materials like crayons, large paintbrushes, paint, watercolors, chunky markers, sponges, cotton balls, papers of various textures for scribbling, bingo-markers, Play-Doh, and safety scissors.

 

1.) Name of Activity: Little Hands, Big Colors

 

Originating Idea: Toddlers enjoy coloring with markers

 

Curriculum Area: Creative Arts- Exploring art materials: children explore building and art materials #37

 

Materials: Finger paint, construction paper, aprons, paint brushes, 

 

Appropriate Age group: Toddlers (12-36 months)

 

Beginning of Activity: Gather children at the art table with the paper and paint already set up

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Encourage children to use their fingers and hands to paint

 

 

 

Middle: Use tools such as sponges, brushes, or paintbrushes to apply paint in a different way 

  

 

 

Later Extension: Allow toddlers to mix colors with their hands  and discover what colors they can make

 

 

End of Activity: Display art on wall

 

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): Color sorting with pom-poms

 

 

2.) Name of Activity: Let's listen together

 

Originating Idea: Babies responding to the "Bluey" music positively

 

Curriculum Area: Creative Arts- Responding to music- children respond to music #40

 

Materials: paci, calm music, speaker/radio, blankets, foam mats

 

Appropriate Age group: Infants (0-12 months)

 

Beginning of Activity: Teacher sings or hums quietly along with the music

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Teacher gently pats baby's leg to the rhythm of the music

 

 

 

Middle: Teacher moves body slowly side to side with baby in arms in time with the music

  

 

 

Later Extension: Pause and unpause music to see babies reaction to the change

 

 

End of Activity: Offering gentle praise to baby 

 

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): Snuggle while listening to a lullaby

 

3.) Name of Activity: High or Low 

 

Originating Idea: Encouraging babies to use their voices 

 

Curriculum Area: Creative Arts-  vocal pitch- children explore vocal pitch sounds #42

 

Materials: Soft music instruments, puppets/stuffed animals, blankets, infant bobby, teachers voice, radio with songs

Appropriate Age group: Infants (0-12 months) 

 

Beginning of Activity: Gently repeat babies name in high or low voice

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Sing "la, la, la" in a low pattern and high pitch voice while looking at babies reaction

 

 

 

Middle: Using a stuffed animal or puppet to speak in a high to low voice, encouraging baby to vocalize and reach out

  

 

 

Later Extension: Sing a song of familiarity alternating between a high and low pitch, allowing infants to coo/sing along

 

 

End of Activity: Transition to a quiet routine such as cuddling

 

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): Puppet show with high pitched and low pitched voices