Welcome to our final post in our Supporting Development at Home series!
In this series, we’ve been taking a deep dive into each learning area of the EYFS and the ways in which you can support your little one’s learning at home!
If you missed any of our previous guides, follow the links below to check them out:
Today, we’re ending our journey by exploring Supporting Development at Home: Expressive Arts and Design.
Expressive Arts and Design is one of the specific areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – click here to learn more.
It encourages children to explore creativity, develop their imagination, and express their thoughts and feelings through various creative activities.
This area of learning includes art, music, dance, drama, and imaginative play, all of which are essential for cognitive and emotional development.
Why Expressive Arts and Design Matters
Engaging in creative activities helps children develop problem-solving skills, confidence, and emotional expression. It also supports fine and gross motor skills, communication, and social interactions.
When children explore different materials, sounds, and movements, they develop an understanding of the world around them and learn to express themselves in meaningful ways.
How We Support Expressive Arts and Design in Nursery
At nursery, we provide a wide range of sensory-rich and open-ended activities to encourage children to explore and create.
These might include:
Painting, drawing, and mark-making with a variety of materials.
Exploring different textures through sensory play.
Singing, dancing, and experimenting with musical instruments.
Engaging in imaginative role-play and storytelling.
Constructing models and engaging in small-world play.
Through these activities, children learn to make choices, develop perseverance, and gain confidence in their creative abilities!
Practical Ways to Support Expressive Arts and Design at Home
You don’t need expensive materials or structured activities to encourage creativity at home.
Simple, open-ended play and exploration can make a big difference. Here are some ideas to try:
Creative Art and Mark-Making
Painting and Drawing – Provide different tools like brushes, sponges, cotton buds, or even fingers for painting. Let your little one mix colours and experiment with patterns.
Junk Modelling – Gather recyclable materials like boxes, tubes, and bottle caps and let your child create their own models.
Collage Making – Use magazines, fabric scraps, or natural materials (leaves, twigs) to create art pieces.
Chalk Art – Let your child draw on pavements or blackboards, experimenting with different pressures and textures.
Music and Movement
Sing and Dance – Play different types of music and encourage your child to dance or clap to the beat.
Homemade Instruments – Make simple instruments like a rice-filled shaker (using a plastic bottle) or a drum (using an empty container and a spoon).
Action Songs – Songs with actions, like ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes’ or ‘Wheels on the Bus’, help develop coordination and language skills.
Freeze Dance – Play music and have fun stopping and starting as the music pauses.
Imaginative and Role Play
Dress-Up Corner – Gather old clothes, hats, and accessories for pretend play. Keep this available for your little one so they can dress up anytime!
Shop or Café Play – Set up a small shop or café with household items, encouraging your child to serve ‘customers’.
Puppet Shows – Use socks, paper bags, or toys as puppets to act out stories.
Small-World Play – Create a mini world using toy animals, cars, or action figures and let your child build their adventures.
Sensory Play
Playdough and Clay – Provide playdough or homemade salt dough for moulding and shaping.
Nature Exploration – Collect leaves, stones, and flowers for nature art or sensory play.
Bubble Play – Blowing and popping bubbles encourages hand-eye coordination and sensory exploration.
Foam and Water Play – Let your child experiment with shaving foam or dyed water for a fun, hands-on experience.
Encouraging Creative Confidence
The most important thing you can do is celebrate your child’s creativity!
Instead of focusing on the final product, praise their efforts and curiosity. Ask open-ended questions like:
‘Tell me about what you’ve made’
‘What colours did you use?’
‘How does this music make you feel?’
By providing opportunities for creative expression and fostering a love for the arts, you are helping to build your child’s confidence, communication skills, and ability to think outside the box.
Final Thoughts
Expressive Arts and Design is an essential part of early development, allowing children to explore, experiment, and express themselves in their own unique way.
By incorporating simple, fun activities into your daily routine, you can help nurture your child’s creativity and imagination at home.
If you’re concerned
If you have any concerns about your little one’s development, please speak to your key person, nursery manager or health visitor.
They will be able to discuss any worries you have and, if necessary, come up with a plan to help your child’s development both in and outside of the nursery.
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Thanks so much for reading our series on Supporting Development at Home. We will be back next week with a brand-new blog post.
If you want us to cover any specific topics let us know in the comments below!
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