Paint to Music

Your Child Will Learn

The beats and rhythms heard in music can inspire how we paint

Here’s What to Do

1. Play a lively song with lots of instrumentation and percussion
2. Give your child paper, 2-3 non-toxic paint colors, and paintbrushes
3. Help your child identify 2-3 specific beats or rhythms in the song
4. When these beats and rhythms are heard, paint with the selected colors to represent them

Put PEER Into Action

PAUSE

• Set up your workspace and let your child select the paint colors you will work with

ENGAGE

• Ask your child what they like about the colors they selected for this activity
• When assigning paint colors to beats and rhythms, let your child decide which color they will use when they hear a specific instrument

ENCOURAGE

• Ask your child to explain what the overall painting looks like at the end of the song
• Compliment and praise your child’s work

REFLECT

• Was your child able to identify different beats and rhythms with specific colors in their painting? 

Not Quite Ready

Focus on using one color for one beat or rhythm at a time

Ready for More

Complete this activity with one slow song and one fast song; then compare the two paintings

As Your Child Masters This Skill

They will experience how music can inspire and influence artmaking 

Time to Complete

5 – 10 minutes

Materials Needed

Paper, non-toxic paint, paintbrush