Fostering Artistic Curiosity in Children
There鈥檚 a world of difference between raising a child who simply understands not to touch the art in a museum and raising a child who understands and appreciates the significance of art. The goal for most modern parents is to raise children who are curious about art, thoughtfully observe, ask questions, voice opinions, and draw inspiration. Below, we share our top tips for raising littles ones that appreciate art, as well as sharing art museums across the world with top quality children鈥檚 programming.
Start Early
There are a wealth of studies demonstrating that early exposure to the arts (both viewing and creating) can support children鈥檚 social and cognitive development.聽聽鈥渢he literature鈥rovides strong evidence that arts participation during early childhood has benefits for social-emotional development, such as social skills and emotion regulation.鈥澛犅燭he study also indicates better outcomes for children involved in visual arts, music, and dance. By exposing children to art early, parents can聽cultivate interests and habits that can last a lifetime.
Prepare for the Experience
Before visiting an art museum or gallery, talk to children about rules and expectations. Emphasize not only that they cannot touch the art, but聽飞丑测听– explain that the works on display are precious objects with deep history. After going over the basics, share with children what they can expect and what activities they can look forward to: for example, most museums allow sketching (check ahead what materials you can bring in – usually a pencil is fine). Many have children鈥檚 activities, talks, or programs that are great to help little ones engage with the art.
Make it Fun
Keep your child鈥檚 attention span in mind and pace yourselves accordingly. A full day in the museum might be too much for some children and聽lead them to associate museums with boredom rather than discovery. You might split the day in two – spending half the day inside the museum and half the day playing a sport in the park. Check the museum鈥檚 calendar of events; many offer interactive children鈥檚 programming that can help keep children interested for longer.
We love the idea of planning 鈥渢hemed days鈥� for children to get to know a culture in more depth. For example, you might visit to see Matisse’s聽Femme au chapeau聽at SFMoMA then go to a nearby French restaurant or cook a French-inspired meal together. These simple but special experiences can help cement concepts and ideas in children鈥檚 minds.
Follow Their Interests
Children often need an entry point that overlaps with their existing interests. For example, a child interested in trains might like to see works from Monet鈥檚聽La Gare Saint-Lazare聽series while one interested in ancient Egypt will love聽The Temple of Dendur聽at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Finding ways to connect the history with their current interests can often help children relate better to the works. Ask your child questions: What is your favorite piece? Why? What do you think the artist was thinking when they painted that? What materials do you think they used? Do you think they drew that from life? Share your passions too; it鈥檚 equally important for children to see what things you are drawn to and why.
Create at Home
After the visit, keep the conversation going at home. You might create art inspired by pieces you enjoyed in the museum. You might do further research or discover books and movies about the time period. Experiment with different materials and mediums. Spend an hour creating alongside your child. Celebrate the work they make – hang it on the walls of the home or save it in a scrapbook.
Look Beyond Museums and Galleries
Teach children to look for art in everyday life. It might be a public art mural but it might also be the way the sunlight is reflecting on the blades of grass. Teach them to look for the artistic everywhere: unusual branches, vibrant colors, surprising shadows. We love giving children a journal to keep track of things that catch their attention during the day.
Integrate Art into Your Everyday Life
Don鈥檛 treat art as a special occasion or once-a-year obligation. Talk about it often. Encourage questions. Take children to galleries, walk through museums, make art together. Whenever possible when traveling, make a point to visit at least one museum. Point out distinctive architecture as you walk. If you have an art collection at home, tell your children about it – the stories behind the pieces, what moved you to acquire it.
Tell Stories
Children, like all of us, connect better through stories.聽Learn together the stories of your favorite artists or time periods.聽Read books, watch movies, learn which artists were living at the same time and how their art is related to one another. Parents should聽look for opportunities to help children see connections between the subjects, stories, and ideas they encounter. Pay attention to exhibitions related to books your child is reading or special interests they might have. For example, while reading聽The Hound of the Baskervilles听辞谤听Oliver Twist聽with your middle schooler, you might look for exhibitions of paintings from 1800s London to visit together. The connection can deepen a child’s appreciation of both.
Make Meaningful Memories
Turn art into adventures. Follow your children鈥檚 passions. Plan adventures that feel special; they could be as simple as an afternoon at the Cloisters in New York or as spectacular as a journey to Monet鈥檚 home and gardens in Giverny. By making memories together based on art, you will deepen your child鈥檚 emotional connection to the subject. Years later, they may not remember every painting they saw, but they will remember how those experiences made them feel. That sense of wonder and discovery may inspire them to seek out art throughout their lives.
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