Melbourne babies and their carers can experience an affordable music and art program at Incy Wincy Babies. It’s a popular monthly program led by a Barking Spider Visual Theatre artist through the Incinerator Gallery in Moonee Ponds.
The session is a sensory experience for babies, incorporating art, music and lots of things to touch; all within a gallery setting.
“Research is proving that positive health and developmental outcomes for babies depends on interactions with caregivers that are responsive, warm and consistent. These relationships play an integral role in shaping a child’s future health and life outcomes.
It is in the spirit of supporting caregivers to develop these bonds through engagement with art that we offer this new program.” – from the City of Moonee Valley site
On our visit, the workshop revolves around the current exhibition “With Seeing Hands”. What makes this exhibition different from what we have seen in other galleries is that it is an accessible and inclusive exhibition presenting a range of multisensory works made by artists with and without disabilities.
The babies are invited to interact with the artworks when they enter the exhibition. A hanging installation by Sam Petersen comprises balls of plasticine suspended throughout the space; some are embedded with more tactile matter like seeds or grass.
Baby Explorer has just woken up when we arrived at the gallery so it’s interesting watching her sleepy face take in the balls from different perspectives.
A group of kangaroos by Heather Lawson, a Deafblind artist with Usher Syndrome, captivates Baby Explorer. One of her favourite books contains kangaroos so I wonder whether she recognises the shape of the kangaroo or whether she simply enjoys touching the cool glazed ceramics.
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds
We are then invited to sit on the patchwork rug and sing a few songs. The facilitator is energetic and seeks to engage each of the children. Parents are encouraged to join in as well although not many of us know all the words so some of the songs fizzle out here and there.
However Chloe, our Barking Spider Visual Theatre artist is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and well-resourced with tissue paper, bubble wrap and even branches of local gum to create an engaging sensory experience. She tells us about each of the works our children are interacting with and works hard to engage even the most shy or in Baby Explorer’s case, “just-woke-up-ness”.
Over the course of the session, we can see the babies increase their interaction and confidence in the space, becoming increasingly engaged and playful.
The workshop ends around 10:30 am but is so packed with activity, it has felt like it had gone for a lot longer. After the first workshop and before the second workshop, babies and carers are invited to have morning tea (hot tea with caffeinated and non-caffeinated options, fresh fruit and biscuits) giving us the opportunity to mingle and build connections.
At only $5.75 per child (accompanying carers attend for free), Incy Wincy Babies is an accessible program that is a good way of introducing babies to a gallery environment and provides an opportunity for carers to connect with their babies and each other.
Incy Wincy Babiesruns approximately monthly on a Friday. For older children 2-5 years the Incinerator Gallery runs Arty Tales monthly sessions on Thursdays.
Click here for more places to go with babies and toddlers
In the east Heide Museum of Modern Art also run art experiences for babies and preschoolers
Click here for my review of the National Gallery of Victoria’s monthly art classes for under 4s
HOT Tips:
- Incy Wincy Babies is $5.75 per child and accompanying carers attend for free.
- Incy Wincy Babies is a program where babies are shown art, sung to and played within a kind and supportive environment.
- Incy Wincy Babies is suitable for babies aged between 0 to 12 months and 12 to 24 months;
- The 9.30 to 10.30am program is recommended for babies aged 0 to 12 months;
- The 11am to 12noon program is recommended for babies 12 to 24 months;
- Bookings are essential as groups are small and light refreshments are provided at 10:30am. Both groups are invited to attend.
- Free car parking is available on-site and just across the road, so no need to bring pram or carrier (unless of course you want to!). If you are bringing a pram, there is a ramp that connects to the gallery building;
- afterwards go for a walk along the Maribyrnong River and visit the Maribyrnong Park playground and Boathouse restaurant/cafe.
