When having children, you experience a refreshed viewpoint of the world. While it is easy for adults to become cynical or distanced from the wonder of life, children see everything for the first time and are amazed. The joy a child experiences over every new thing, from their first taste of ice cream to their first trip to a museum can cause some of the most cynical adults to be renewed.
Museums are the kind of reverential places many children find amazing and intriguing. They are exposed to brilliant new colors in paint, abnormal shapes in sculpture, and portraits of people like Grandma and Grandpa in charcoal. Places like Park West Gallery can quickly become a favorite destination among children as they learn to create at home and mimic artists.
For many parents, especially those unfamiliar with fine art, getting their kids involved can seem daunting. Aside from making paper and pencil available at home, what can you be doing to nurture and encourage your child’s creative side? Included here are a few tips for introducing your children to fine art and activating their creativity.
Go to Galleries
The first way to get your children excited about fine art is to expose them to it. You know your kids better than anyone, so you have the greatest understanding of what they find interesting. Monitor your local museum for exhibits that involve lego sculptures, fabric designed butterflies, or even historical artifacts from a favorite time period. Letting your kids see these incredible exhibits in the flesh can help foster a love for art and encourage their own personal expression.
Study Artists
For some people, appreciating art doesn’t involve the artist at all. You can drink in a beautiful painting, absorb a strong political piece, or develop personal opinions about an abstract piece without knowing anything about who created it. For other people, getting to know the artist creates a connection to their artwork and offers greater interest and insight.
To help your kids get acquainted with artists, you can link a famous artist to a time period they are currently studying in history. Having a detailed understanding of how the artist lived, created, and the hardships they overcame can give them a special appreciation for the art. Having your child study an artist, write a book report, and then visit a gallery can create cemented learning experiences that last in their memory for a lifetime.
Visit Important Locations
Just as studying can bring artists to a more influential place in a child’s life, so can visiting locations. If your family enjoys traveling, try to find a memorable artist or role model who lived near the area you are visiting. Seeing their old family home, favorite cafe, or even the subjects of their masterpieces can be a great learning experience for kids.
Originally posted on June 15, 2016 @ 11:31 am
