By Gladys Jimenez
Exposing children to art at
an early age helps them to do better in school because art improves
problem solving abilities and children learn to connect to the ideas
and feelings
expressed by other artists and become more alert to new experiences.
Their own artwork shows their experiences and through observing art they can apply priceless experiences to other areas of their lives as well.
Museums can help stimulate our critical thinking by making us describe
the objects we see while we make our own deductions and by helping
us to recognize similar and different objects. There are different
museums such
as art museums and galleries, history museums, science and technology,
children museums and other educational places. Since most museums
have a free day once a month when you can visit, going to the
Museum on
a monthly basis is a great idea.
Go on a day that you have time so you will not rush through the
exhibit and perhaps only see part of it, depending on your children’s
interest.
Don’t go with the idea of seeing it all to get your money’s
worth, this may turn your kids off to museums completely, so
instead just follow your kids lead and take your time. If you plan ahead
of time, the
whole experience should be rewarding. Here are some tips:
Getting Ready To Go:
1) You must first make the trip interesting for the children.
Find out what your children like and see if there are any
exhibits related
to what
they enjoy or something they are currently learning in
school.
2) Tell them the story behind the art in their own level
of understanding. Go to the library and get a book or video
of
what they may see.
If they have a web site you may want to view it first.
3) Go over the rules. For instance, no touching artwork
on walls. If you separate from each other, where will you
meet.
How the
Museum Staff
can
help.
4) Call the museum and double check directions, prices, parking facilities and their free days of admission.
At
The Museum:
1) Stop at the information desk:
A) Check out the museum map so you know where the
restrooms are and water fountains for thirsty kids.
B) Get any free pamphlets they may have to take
home with you. If possible get two or more of each,
as you may want
to use
one of them for art
projects or games later on.
C) Find out if they have any upcoming events for
children. Perhaps join their mailing list.
2) Play a game with one of the pamphlets or catalogs you picked up by circling a few pieces of artwork and see who spots them first.
3) Remember
to follow
your children’s lead and to be open to any of their questions. If
you don’t know the answers it’s
ok to write them down and look for the
answers later.
4) Ask your children simple questions about
what they see. Print the Looking At Art
List to take
with you and take
turns answering
the questions.
5) Visit the Museum Gift shop and look
for mementos of your visit, like postcards,
a book or game.
6) Be patient and watch how much they learn
as they discover the world of art.
7) Remember not to do too much, as little ones can get tired or bored. So take a lunch break or return on another day.
At Home:
1) You can reinforce their experience
by talking about the trip. What they liked and didn’t liked and
why. Let them describe their visit to their grandparents, other
family members or friends.
2) Find out the answers to those questions
you couldn’t
answer through the Internet or library.
3) Make a game out of the catalogs or pamphlets you got
at the museum. You can make the Match-Up game. Cut two
pictures
that
are the same
and glue them to poster board. It only matters that the
poster board cards
you cut are the same size. When you have 8 pairs, turned
them face down and see if they can remember where each
pair is and
the one
with the most
pairs wins.
4) You can have them start their own mini-art collection from art catalogs. Usually they will mail them to you for free.
5) Encourage children to do a piece of artwork
too. It can be a plain drawing, a sculpture or a collage…anything they can imagine. If
you had no time to prepare, and are going on the spur of the moment,
it’s all right too. What’s important is that you have fun
learning together as a family.
Gladys Jimenez is an artist, art docent and founder of
Scribbles, where kids can create art, learn about
art, enter contests, win art supplies and color on line. Visit
Scribbles at http://www.scribbleskidsart.com or email:
Scribbles@artistemail.com.
ts, Children's
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