At the beginning of his path as a composer, in 1950s and 1960s, Pärt wrote many children’s songs, piano pieces, and music for plays and animated films. During those years he was involved with several children’s studios and theatres, being the piano accompanist and musical designer. Most of his music for children came about by way of direct improvisation at rehearsals and were only later given their more polished forms. Therefore, they possess the spontaneous, playful spirit amid which they were born.

As a student, Pärt earned pocket money by accompanying on piano the theatre club of the Tallinn Palace of the Pioneers (now the Kullo hobby centre). He came to the theatre at the invitation of Salme Lauren, who was then director of the theatre club and for whose translated, written, and staged plays Pärt composed a large amount of music in those years. Among those pieces are his earliest known works – composed more than half a century ago over the period 1956–1959, their exact dates unknown. Piano pieces Puss in Boots and Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf were written for Erika Tatsch's children's play The Lost Picture Book. Butterflies was part of Salme Lauren's play Adventure in the Woods. It is unknown for which particular play Dance of the Ducklings was composed.

Pieces
1. Puss in Boots
2. Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf
3. Butterflies
4. Dance of the Ducklings