I've read it before that every child is an artist. Being intentional about art has become a priority. Beauty in the mundane; a splash of colour in the routine. It helps us to see beyond ourselves while offering glimpses into our deepest deep. It fills our minds with excellence, and isn't that a part of the goal?
Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8Language and numbers tend to top the ladder, but is it possible for the Arts to become a part of the daily meditations of the home? A daily ebb and flow of the family's rhythm?
Discovering Art Within Your Home
Perhaps your home already abounds with the Arts? Maybe on the walls, on the book shelf, in the closet, or in the basement? Here are some ideas for finding the Arts right within the comforts of your own home:
Music:
~ Listen to song on CD, YouTube or Live 365 ~ play music during meal time, draw a song while listening, move to the beat or interpret through dance, use body percussion or homemade rhythmic instruments to play along.
~ Listen to and read about the Great Composers ~ great inspiration.
~ Use your library to gather songbooks, CDs, DVD, and books related to music.
~ Sing along.
~ Be intentional about joining the church choir or participating in Christmas and Easter concerts.
~ Be intentional about finding out about and attending concerts in your church and community.
Visual Art:
~ Hang art on the walls of your home. Art from the great artists of the past can be sought out, framed, studied, and discussed as they decorate your home.
~ Choose art books from the library to lay out on your coffee table. Choose books from the junior nonfiction section of your library and do a preview before bringing them into your home.
~ Gather art supplies and have them available to be used often. Perhaps use a shower caddy to organize supplies and include an assortment of interesting materials. The basics include: scissors, glue, felt pens, crayons, pencil crayons, watercolour paint, watercolour pencils, pastels, acrylic paint, construction paper, white paper, watercolour painting paper, etc....
~ Take note and photograph community art. Stop and admire wall murals, mosaic tilings, sculptures, etc. that are often proudly presented within even small communities.
~ Visit your community art gallery.
~ Introduce a handicraft to your child that can be worked on during quiet time or family read alouds.
Dance:
~ Move to a variety of music.
~ Watch the Nutcracker movie at Christmas.
~ Be intentional about attending a dance performance.
~ Tell a story through movement.
~ Learn a folk dance to go along with a country that you are learning about.
Drama:
~ Bring out the dress up box and try to add new materials on a regular basis.
~ Practice playing ~ turn your living room into a Pet Shop, a Grocery Store, an Explorer's Ship, a Doctor's Office, a tent, etc.
~ Act out Bible stories.
~ Act out favourite picture book stories.
~ Be intentional about attending a dramatic performance.
~ Be intentional about participating in a church Christmas or Easter drama.
~ Make homemade puppets and retell stories or make up some new ones.
Integrating Art into the Rhythms of Learning
Perhaps blending the Arts with the learning that is already taking place is what creates peaceful rhythms in your home. Here are some resource suggestions that take the Arts and weave them together with other learning:
Canada is for Kids Music CDs {Canada, Music}
Seasonal E-Books ~ Handbook of Nature Study {Science, Music, Art}
Nature Study ~ Five in a Row {Science, Language Arts, Music}
A Few More Resources to Help Add Art to Your Home
A Related Link:
A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul. ~ Johann Wolfgang con Goethe
