11.4: Environments and Materials
Most materials necessary to support preschoolers’ learning in the creative arts are inexpensive and easy to obtain and can often be shared across art domains. In fact, by rotating props, books, masks, and the like, teachers reinvent them in novel ways.
There are some basic needs in each art discipline to create exciting and enriching learning experiences. Further materials will be summarized as each discipline is discussed later in the chapter.
- Dance and movement require only space in a room and benefit further from music and costumes of modest scope and cost.
- Many things handy in a preschool environment can serve as props for dramatic play (spontaneous engagement in pretend play) and drama (guided experiences with instruction on acting out a drama), where imagination can turn almost anything into something else.
- Visual arts largely involve drawing, painting, and creating two- and three-dimensional works of art. These activities commonly make use of natural materials in addition to typical art supplies, such as, crayons, pencils, finger paints, watercolor paints, moldable dough, construction paper, and sufficient drawing or painting paper to provide the inspiration for children’s creations. Children need flat places to draw and paint—tabletops, the floor, or outdoor surfaces, such as fences.
- It is important that music not be limited to prerecorded songs. Music is an active process. Music may be a little more demanding of specialized materials. A variety of rhythm instruments, such as wooden blocks, bongo drums, or hollow, hardwood boxes, can be used by children; little instruction is necessary. When these materials are not available, clapping hands and stomping feet can keep rhythm. Other musical instruments that may extend this collection include recorder-like wind instruments, shakers, stringed plucking devices, and so on.
- Adaptive materials may be necessary to ensure that activities are accessible for all children with disabilities or other special needs to participate in art activities with a feeling of enjoyment and accomplishment.
- Materials that may serve as props for pretend play, or costumes that reflect the cultural backgrounds of the children in the preschool program, are good to have on hand.
- Any and all art materials can be used to foster the creative process. Having a wide range of loose parts available gives children many opportunities to explore their creative tendencies.
Physical environments that support learning in the creative arts begin with sufficient, appropriate space. The few basic materials described above, and space for the use of materials and movement of the children, are all that is required of the environment. For example, costumes, prop-like objects, and art supplies, along with a designated workspace accessible to children, can help encourage learning while creating an aesthetically pleasing physical environment.
Scheduled time for arts activities, with an organized fl