Music-Inspired Art

What You Need:

• Music from a variety of genres
• Paper
• Tempera paints
• Paint brushes in different sizes
• Smock
• Washable surface

What You Do:

1. Play the music for your child. Ask him to describe how the music makes him feel. Happy? Sad? Energetic? Next, ask him what colors he thinks of when he hears the music. A happy fast song may correspond to bright colors such as yellow, while a slower song may be linked to blues and grays.
2. Give your child a large, blank piece of paper and a variety of paint colors. Play the music again and encourage him to begin painting to the sounds. If he is having trouble getting started, try a demonstration painting yourself. Move the brush to the music making long sweeps, dots, or splatters.
3. Set the painting aside to dry.
4. Give your child another piece of paper, and introduce another song. This time, change the type of music played. If the first song was fast paced and upbeat, try a slower one this time around.
5. Repeat the process as many times as desired.

For a different effect, try layering different musical paintings onto one piece of paper. Afterwards, ask your child to find what parts of his painting go with what song.