Most recently, Sesame Street placed the most unlikely of characters in an art museum: Cookie Monster. Our furry, blue friend, mostly known for his insatiable hunger and inclination to eat anything – including artwork (Do you remember “Don’t Eat the Pictures?”), recently visited iconic museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and The Guggenheim.
Taking a kid (or a very hungry Muppet) to an art museum can be either the most pleasant or horrendous of experiences for a parent. Do you fear your child will grow bored? Will he or she set off an alarm near a priceless work of art?
Just as much as we love to read a good book, being able to “read” a work of art and appreciate it for what it’s worth is an invaluable skill for a child to learn.
Being “art literate” helps bring out the creative side of child. In order to help you get a good start on introducing your kids to a world of statues, paintings and pottery, here are quick tips to create a well-rounded art aficionado. Try these steps before you venture to your next art museum.
- Do your homework…together: A great website, like Art Babble, is full of videos to help both educators and parents to introduce kids to the art world. This site covers everything from art periods and style to famous artists to themes and more!
- Take a virtual field trip: Not quite ready for day at the museum? Go online! Museums have countless resources available and provide a great overview of the way they curate the art. Check out places like The Metropolitan Museum of Art with virtual galleries. This will help you learn what types of art your child likes. Remember, some subject matter may be mature for some kids, so it’s important you look at this together. It’s always awkward getting a “Mommy/Daddy, what’s THAT?” question in the middle of an exhibit. Don’t blush! The more you explain, the better your child will understand and appreciate art.
- Create your own art museum at home: Create an environment at home that values art (source: Scholastic Parents). Make sure you have plenty of materials at home and encourage kids to think out-of-the-box with everyday objects. Once you nurture this in the home, take them to local community art events or keep an eye out for museum summer day camps or workshops for kids.
- Make it interesting: Just as kids can be reluctant readers, “art literacy” can be just as challenging. Make an adventure out of it: create a scavenger hunt, bring an “artist pack” and have your child draw his or her favorite work of art. Don’t forget to bring your favorite book to read aloud together all about museums (e.g. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler).
