A video has been created to show the relation between paper and movement. A white color blank paper with straight lines was used to explain this process. Paper was found to be the easiest and most convenient material which generated movement. Paper generated movement as well as the art of sound.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/lRcAkz1aiac 

It can be clearly seen that paper is generating the art of movement and it also generates sound when it is folded like a ball. When the paper ball was thrown up in the air it quickly came down onto the table which is a clear evidence for movement. To add to it, When folded back to normal the marks on the paper clearly depict that there was some kind of movement. (Pacini-Ketchabaw et al., 2016) This completely relates to Chapter 2 of the book “Encounters with material in early childhood education” by Taylor and Francis who explain the art of movement through paper. Paper related movement was also explained when it was used to wrap a deodorant and the marks on the paper later stated some kind of movement. 

Implications
 
In an early childhood setting, children play with paper on regular basis and very frequently in a single day. Their curiosity to draw on paper and to play with it grows more and more when they see paper attached to the drawing boards every day. Every room in a childcare except nursery must have an art space to teach children more about paper and how it generates movement. Kinder and Pre kinder room can also conduct paper cutting activities which helps in explaining how cutting a paper also generates movement. Also, on any kind of occasion such as Mother’s day, children can wrap their gift in a paper and write something for their mothers. This also teaches them paper-related movement and generates a sense of happiness. 

A Video has been created to show the music related movement that how it excites a person to sing a song or dance to that song. “If you’re happy and you know it” song has been played in the background which I am singing and feeling happy about. Generating movement with the help music in the video was very easy as I got engaged and went into the same zone when I was a toddler.  Movement and Music communicate actions and share happiness amongst others. Music and dance are also interrelated when it comes to movement.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/4ZSn05GF5Kw

Discussion

Music is that material which always generates movement and creates a sense of happiness and excitement. Music and Movement have a very strong relationship as clearly depicted in the video that as soon as the song was played, I got excited and started singing and dancing to it. Music here generated movement and movement further generated the art of dance. This is a kind of transformation from music to movement to dance is completely related to Reggio Emilia’s experience in transformation of a person or specifically a child through various languages at once. (Edwards et al., 2022) 

 

Music is that material which makes every child sing the song being played and makes them feel amused. Children in an early childhood setting specifically wait for that time of the day when the educator is going to play their favourite song. Music enlightens a child’s mood and helps in the development of a child’s positive behaviour. Children can be taught about nature as well with the help of songs, this includes explaining them about the environment and its related factors. This comprises of sun, human beings, animals, and other environmental and nature things. Educational songs and videos always assist in giving a child information about history of the country. Children are most dedicated when a music or video is being played. Every childhood setting must install a music studio and a mat where children can sing, dance, sit, enjoy, and learn the art of music and movement. (Hanna, 2017)

A video has been created to show the relationship between dance and movement. Whenever a person dances, movement is created. “Baby Shark” song has been played in the video and the signature step has been replicated to explain the relationship between Dance and movement. 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/-sm_SpvSxvU 

 

 

 

Baby Shark is one of the most popular songs for children now and every child wants to learn the signature step and move on it. Whenever this song is played, children want to dance and make the signature move as shown in the created video. This connection between the dance and movement is clearly evident because whenever you move your body, you generate movement. Children are always ready to dance and generate these kinds of movements. Dance makes everyone happy and specifically in the case of a child. If a child is not having a good day, and you make them dance, their sadness or dullness goes away in a second. 

 

Every childcare center must have at least thirty minutes of dancing session with children to enlighten their mood and bring a sense of freshness to the classroom. Children get bored very easily with one thing and want to try something new, but dance is such a thing which never makes children feel bored. Special dance performances can be done by children with educator’s help on occasions like father’s day or whenever there is a get together at the center.  This will help children learn more about dance and related movement. Dancing sessions and related movement make children exercise too, which is good for their body and health. 

A video has been created to explain the relationship between light and movement. The use of sunlight and the generated shadow has been brought forward to show this concept of movement generated by light. House blinds were also used to assist with the process which clearly explained light generated movement.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/MJTUoZ30e-A 

 

In the video, it can be clearly seen that light helps in creating a shadow and when a person moves it creates a movement. Daylight creates a lot of things comprising of shadows and sunlight helps grow plants which is also related to movement. As per the video, when light comes out of the blinds it creates movements and when blinds are closed there is movement again. If you move your hand in light, you can clearly see your shadow on the wall or in the mirror. This clearly helps to explain how light generates movement. 

 

Children love to explore and especially they love to go outside in the school’s backyard. If children are outside, they can learn from this experience when they see their shadow on the floor in the broad sunlight. Light and movement can also be explored by children when they play on the light board and some colorful and transparent magnets are put onto it to reflect light and movement. This is related to Reggio Emilia’s inspired schools where light and shadow help children to explore different ideas and theories. Educators can introduce shadow plays with a new way of looking at shadow and light with different imagination, this will delight the children in every way. (Mahshulah et al.)

A video has been created to exhibit the relationship between leaves and petals with movement. It can be clearly seen that when there is wind leaves and petals both move. This is a natural phenomenon and children love to see the trees moving which results in petals and leaves moving as well. 

Video Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/40_4kbQryaA?feature=share 

When a leaf or a petal moves because of the wind it generates movement and it becomes clear that petals and leaves generate movements. As talked about earlier, children love to play in the backyard which is full of trees, grass, and flowers. Whenever it is windy, they see tree leaves and petals moving and this mesmerizes them. The relationship between the two can also been seen during autumn, when the leaves on the floor generate movement through heavy winds and children enjoy it. 

 

Implications
 
Children can be made to play with leaves and understand more about it by making them stand under a leaf waterfall and one of the educators can collect some leaves and throw on them. This way children can be delighted. Also, children can understand more about leaves and petals when they make some artwork using them by pasting leaves or petals on a paper. A design can be created, and it will give children a sense of satisfaction. 

The video shows various colors creating movement. Blue and black color were used on a white paper to show the combination of color and movement. The result clearly depicted that color and movement and related and rhythm, line, balance, and space play a huge role in this. 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/dMyMcdezfyM 

When coloring on the white paper and making different shades with blue and black color, movement was clearly exhibited the balance was symbolizing movement. Children tend to draw and play with colors in the art space, and they just try to scribble with colors and pencils. This combination of colors with rhythm and balance generates movement and children enjoy this. Scribbling also gives children satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. 

As far as coloring activities are concerned in the childcare center, the art space should be filled with different colors and children should be encouraged to make some drawings. This can be added to their portfolios as well. Scrap Books can be printed out for every child so that they draw into their own book. Later, Sketch pens and crayons can also be brought forward by the educator so that children can advance their skills. 

Hanna, W. (2017) The Childrens Music Studio: A Reggio-inspired approach. New York: Oxford University Press. 

Mahshulah, Z.A., Syaodih, E. and Rachmawati, Y. (no date) The ray of Light: An activity approach of Reggio Emilia , View of the Ray of Light: An Activity Approach of reggio emilia. Available at: http://proceedings.upi.edu/index.php/icee/article/view/687/603 (Accessed: 27 May 2023). 

Pacini-Ketchabaw, V., Kind, S. and L. M. Kocher, L. (2016) “Chapter 2/Paper: Movement,” in Encounters with materials in early childhood education. Taylor & Francis.