Music, Art, Creativity, Kids

Monet's paintings gave us a lot to talk about.

Some children were drawn to the water lilies. Others noticed the bridge, the colors, or the reflections in the water. After exploring several of Monet's paintings together, they created artwork inspired by the ideas that stood out to them.

One of my favorite parts is seeing how differently children interpret the same artist. Even when we begin in the same place, every creation ends up telling its own story.

Many people know The Sorcerer's Apprentice from Disney's Fantasia.

After listening to the music and exploring the story, children used simple materials to create their own magical characters and scenes. No two creations were alike, and that's always one of my favorite parts of the process.

This summer we'll be exploring more musical adventures through storytelling, movement, and art. ✨

Before the art materials come out, we listen, imagine, move, and explore together. Sometimes we're following clues, sometimes we're meeting unusual characters, and sometimes we're setting off on an adventure inspired by classical music or a work of art.

The creations come later. The imagination starts here.

A cardboard tube can become a king, a magician, a creature, or someone from an imaginary world ✨

One of my favorite parts of these classes is watching children build stories as they create. With a few simple materials and their own ideas, each project starts taking on its own personality and direction.

Inspired by the sea, children used shells, sand, stickers, and different materials to create their own underwater scenes and sea creatures.

I love how the same materials can lead to completely different ideas and little worlds.

Inspired by Vivaldi’s Spring, children listened for birds, rain, and the happy feeling of a new season, then made their own spring creations with feathers, clay, beads, and natural materials.

I always enjoy seeing how music opens the door to so much imagination.

A musical adventure with The Carnival of the Animals ✨

As we listened to Saint-Saëns’ playful music and followed the story, children moved, imagined, and created their way into the world of birds and animals.

I always love seeing how classical music quickly turns into pretend play, movement, and imaginative creations.

Inspired by Monet’s garden and the story, children created their own blooming gardens with different types of paper and flower stickers, using their own ideas along the way.

I always enjoy seeing how art and imagination come together in such unique ways.

Sometimes the simplest materials lead to the most interesting ideas.

A few flowers, bits of playdough, small recycled pieces... and suddenly children are building tiny worlds, creatures, gardens, and stories I never could have planned myself.

That’s always my favorite part — seeing where their imagination takes them.

I’ll be in the Paoli Library this Thursday for a Mother’s Day class inspired by Mary Cassatt.
We’ll look at some of her mother-and-child paintings, share a story, and create a special art project together.