Explore the Arts with Young Children
This list contains resources to help early childhood educators and caregivers plan high-quality learning experiences in the arts. The resources below are grouped by art form.
Visual Arts
IEL Tip Sheets:
- Out and About with Preschoolers: Close Up with Visual Arts
- Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Is All Around (Graphic Tip sheet)
- Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Is All Around
- The Power of the Pen: Drawing and Scribbling
Resource List:
Blog Posts:
- Scribbling as Early Steps to Reading and Writing
- Make Art a Part of Every Day: Focus on the Process
- Cherishing Children’s Treasures Can Create Many Opportunities to Learn
- Challenge Young Artists to Create in Three Dimensions
Project Approach:
Adapted Lesson Plans:
Benchmark Videos:
Dance and Movement
IEL Tip Sheet:
Benchmark Videos:
Drama and Storytelling
IEL Tip Sheets:
Blog Posts:
Parenting Video:
Guidelines Video:
Benchmark Videos:
- The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play
- Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations
Music
IEL Tip Sheets:
Resource List:
Blog Post:
Adapted Lesson Plan:
Project Approach:
Benchmark Video:
About this Resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:
Intended audience(s):
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
Related IEL Birth to Three Guidelines:
Related Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards:
- Child Care Center
- Family Child Care
- Home
- Kindergarten
- Preschool Program
Intended audience(s):
- Faculty / Trainer
- Parents / Family
- Teachers / Service providers
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
- Infants and Toddlers (Birth To Age 3)
- Kindergarten
- Preschoolers (Age 3 Through Age 5)
Related IEL Birth to Three Guidelines:
- Approaches to Learning
- Confidence & Risk-Taking
- Creativity, Inventiveness, & Imagination
- Curiosity & Initiative
Related Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards:
Revised: 2019
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