Parenting is one of the most difficult, yet one of the most rewarding experiences. From rushing to drop your child off at preschool to taking them to soccer practice, sometimes it’s hard to find time to teach your child something new. When you do have that extra hour to spare, you might occasionally notice yourself giving your children iPads and TV time as an easy form of entertainment. Instead of resorting to technology, teach your preschoolers about the arts! The arts provide your preschoolers with valuable lessons that will impact them much more than that iPhone app.
April is the absolute perfect time to teach your children the importance of the arts because it is National Guitar Month and National Poetry Month! Teaching your preschoolers about the arts does not have to be a tedious task, but instead can be a time that is filled with fun tunes and excitement!
Here are some ways you and your preschooler can celebrate the arts this month! Hopefully, these ideas can become a part of your weekly routine!
DIY Jam Sessions
Rock n’ roll! Create your own musical instruments at home and experience a rockin’ jam session with your child! Since April is National Guitar Month, it is the perfect opportunity to make your own guitars with simple household products. You will need a cardboard box such as a cracker or cereal box, cardboard tube, scissors, rubber bands, and duct tape. First, cut holes on the front and top of the box to act as the sound hole and guitar neck strap. After cutting these holes, make small cuts around one end of the tube then insert the bottom of the tube into the hole at the top of box and duct tape it into place. Lastly, wrap rubber bands from top of the box to the bottom of the box and tape it into place. Now it’s time to rock out!
Mommy’s Little Poet
Roses are red, violets are blue, your preschooler loves you! Your preschooler also probably loves Dr. Seuss! Instead of making up bedtime stories or reading that same book for the seventeenth time, read short poems such as those written by Dr. Seuss to your child every school night for the month of April. Teach your children rhyming and poetry patterns by reading a page to them and then have them repeat that page back to you. Your child will then begin to recognize rhymes and poetic patterns by pronouncing words on their own! Your options are not limited to the iconic Dr. Seuss. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein is a popular children’s poetry book that features a plethora of easy-to-read poems. The internet also has plenty of fun printable poems that you and your preschooler can enjoy together!
Move to the Rhythm
Now that your preschooler has an instrument and has become familiar with some poetic patterns, it’s time to put the arts together! Brainstorm and create a silly, short poem with your little rockstar. Have fun with this and let your child’s imagination run wild! After completing the poem, grab your kiddo’s paper guitar and strum and sing to the beat of the poem! A microphone hairbrush is not required but recommended for extra laughs and jams!
Use National Guitar Month and National Poetry Month as an opportunity to turn off the TV and embrace the arts!
For more information on special preschool programs that help and support your child in reaching his or her learning goals, talk to the staff at one of the premiere schools listed on Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies Atlanta. The Kids ‘R’ Kids First Class Curriculum® incorporates many learning tools that are fun and engaging, and the staff would love to discuss each program with you.
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