We know the importance of Arts Education for children. Now how do you make a museum fun and interesting for your child? Here are five steps for a great time with your children.
1. Focus on one painting during your visit and open a discussion . You can choose a painting while your walking through the musuem or most museums have web sites featuring their permanent or temporary exhibitions. Before your visit, pick one that you deem interesting or important. For children 5 and under focus on shapes, colors, and the subject matter in the art. Children 5 -10, focus on brush strokes, medium(that's the material the artist used, and the artist him or herself. Children 10- 18, focus on historical background of painting, artist, and why the work and/or artist is important in history.
2. Make sure museum has open spaces for play. Most museums have open inside or outside space where a child can unwind. Take frequent play stops between art viewing.
3. Make sure restaurants, a snack bar, or a sack lunch from home is allowed and/or available. Hungry and thirsty children have difficulty staying focused. Bring water to drink.
4. Visit museum shops and buy! Lets be honest, one of the greatest and most memorable part of going to an amusement park or event is buying a trinket. Reinforce a positive memory in your child by buying a trinket at the museum store. Most museums have trinkets ranging from a couple dollars on up. Let them know a museum holds special treasures they can own.
5. Have fun and be inspired yourself. Children pick up on their parents emotions. If you are inspired, excited, intrigued, and having fun. They will too.
