Navigating & Supporting Emotional Development with the Arts

A guest post by Rachel Merle-Smith from All Things Montessori

Recently I had the opportunity to chat with my dear friend, Rachel Merle-Smith, on her wonderful podcast All Things Montessori about the power of dance in navigating grief and life's transitions. You can listen to our chat on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Following our chat, Rachel has written a beautifully considered piece on the importance of the arts in supporting children's emotional development. It was first published on her Substack which I highly recommend you follow! Rachel also offers consultations for parents and teachers with a speciality in guiding teachers on how to integrate music into the Montessori classroom. Check out her website for how you can connect with her.

I'm so delighted to share Rachel's writing with you. Enjoy!

The Arts Matter

The arts. Music, physical art, sculpting, acting, theatre, dance, and more. All things that can be easily pushed to the side. But why? I see them as vital pillars of existence, but often they are forgotten, underfunded, or wiped from curriculum.

I want to challenge us (as a collective society) to bring it to the forefront.

Why do we so easily forget to incorporate the arts? I see this time and time again in the classroom. I see so many wonderful lessons and work happening, but music, dance, and the arts are absent. The teacher will sometimes say that they have a music special or an afterschool program. Which is wonderful, but I am a firm believer that the arts should still be very present in your classroom!

Let me explain:

The arts are a natural pathway for creative expression.

Children are constantly adapting to their surroundings. They are navigating change and new information all the time. The arts can help ease children into transitions, change, and new patterns. Why? Not only is it pleasing and usually fun, but it helps relay information in a less intimidating way. More welcoming.

When children feel supported creatively, it encourages them to take risks and be content with vulnerability. Performing in front of an audience, no matter what size, takes incredible gumption and courage. The arts are deeply personal, and through artistic expression, we get to know things about ourselves.

The arts can help support big emotions.

This week’s episode features Kei Ikeda, the founder of Montessori Dance. We talk at length about dance and how the arts as a whole can enhance, support, and add to the childhood experience. Kei speaks so beautifully about her partner, Bill’s, sudden passing and how dance became a guiding path throughout her grieving experience. Dance honoured her partner and supported her through her grief.

These pictures depict Kei honouring Bill at his funeral service through dance.

As we were prepping and discussing the episode, she spoke about big emotions and how the arts can support children as they experience intense feelings and emotions.

She said:“When children are feeling big emotions, teachers can support them in a variety of ways. One way, using dance and movement, is to make shapes with your body, to allow the body to express the truth of what you are feeling through shapes. Really sensing these feelings that are inside us. Dancing a dance where you make these shapes repeatedly and then to shake it out through a shaking dance is powerful. There is so much wisdom in our body. To give that wisdom voice through physical movement is really powerful. It’s a way of acknowledging, honouring and then letting go of that feeling.“

The arts spark immense joy.

This could be my most important point? The arts are naturally fun and enjoyable. They help us loosen up. They usually lead to smiles, deep feelings, and beauty. I have countless memories of being in the classroom dancing, singing, and moving with my students.

I encourage you to take a look at your music, art, and dance/movement materials in your environment. Have they been used recently? Do they need to be dusted? (We’ve all been there!).

Look back at your music album. Think about a new song you could teach the children or a new dance to show them. Start small. Incorporating the arts into the Montessori environment is not only energizing, but necessary. I truly believe that the arts are as important as math, language, and science. Without the arts, I wouldn’t be who I am. My parents wouldn’t have the careers they have as musicians. And I definitely wouldn’t be as passionate as I am.

Let’s get in touch!

If you’re struggling with music or the arts portion of your classroom and are looking for support, let’s chat! I am offering Music Coaching Consulting where I work with you to customize a music program that works for you and your classroom.

With love in all things,

Rachel

allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com