{"id":941,"date":"2019-06-13T14:01:12","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T12:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/?p=941"},"modified":"2020-10-07T16:21:47","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T14:21:47","slug":"introduce-children-to-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/introduce-children-to-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduce Children to Art"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Kids are born curious and creative &#8211; therefore it is obvious that children are naturally interested in arts and experimenting. However, some support into the right direction can be of great value and encourage kids to get involved and attracted to art and creativity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/daskreativlabor.files.wordpress.com\/2019\/06\/20190203_141305_komp.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-945\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Research shows that exposure to art provides kids with the tools they need to develop creative problem solving skills, communicate opinions in a variety of ways and adapt to and respect other points of view. On top of that, when a child is able to express him or herself in a creative way, he or she develops self-esteem, self-discipline and self-motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#743eb3\"><em>\u201cEverything around us is the result of our\ncreativity\u201d Dirk Swaab, physician and neurobiologist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the\nForbes magazine and the World Economic Forum creativity is under the top three\nskills one needs to succeed in 2020. A recent LinkedIn study even puts\ncreativity on the top of the list for soft skills companies need most. In times\nwhen artificial intelligence and robotics take over certain tasks, investing in\nchildren\u2019s creative development is most important. It is not only about\ncreating art, it is the ability for \u201cthinking outside of the box\u201d that is\ncrucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How to introduce kids to art in a way that is\nappropriate for their age and ability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, that we know the impact art can have on children\u2019s development let us explore how to instill an appreciation for art in children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/fotor_15498285655649_komp.jpg?w=609\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"948\" class=\"wp-image-948\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/fotor_154982853963385_komp.jpg?w=748\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"950\" class=\"wp-image-950\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/fotor_154982859594037_komp.jpg?w=694\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"951\" class=\"wp-image-951\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/fotor_154982849283439_komp.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"949\" class=\"wp-image-949\"\/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One easy way to do\nthis is visiting an art museum in town or, if you like it even more\nsophisticated, taking your child to Art Basel. Start off by showing your\nchildren big paintings, installations or focus on the discovery of geometric\nshapes. Encourage observational, language and vocabulary skills by talking\nabout what you see. It is easier to focus on art with bright colors or\npaintings with scenes that kids can relate to. It is recommendable to bring a\nlittle sketch book and some pencils to keep the children engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Introduce them early<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sooner you start taking your child into museums and galleries, the quicker\nthey will get used to an environment that can be a bit of a culture shock. Quiet\nrooms filled with objects which must not be touched, where running is\ndefinitely not welcomed and serious looking staff is patrolling around. After a\nwhile they might start fidgeting, crying or even screaming, which may attract\ndisapproving glances. But don\u2019t let these potential occurrences spoil your\nfamily experience or discourage you from visiting another art show or museum\nwith your children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Be prepared<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Checking the\nwebsite and looking for sections designed for families is helpful. Often they\nhave suggestions on what to see with kids, information about family tours and\nworkshops (see also list at the end).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have a snack before\nyou enter and talk about rules in a museum or art gallery. Keep it fun, by visiting\nthe shop or have lunch at the place \u2013 make it an adventure! Many museums even\noffer scavenger hunt-type handouts for kids at the front desk. Pick one up and start\nyour art journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Keep your visits short<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember to\nintroduce kids to art and galleries in a manner that\u2019s appropriate for their\nage and ability. There are many interactive museums, specifically tailored to\nchildren\u2019s interests, where touching and pressing on buttons is highly\nencouraged. Start with one of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Find out where the toilets are at the start\nof your visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Honestly, having small children with you, this is the most important thing\nyou should ask when buying your ticket.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Let the child be your guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While at the museum, let your children guide you. Take sufficient time to look at paintings that interest your child and accept with a smile, when your child blindly ignores the well-known master pieces. With your child as your guide, you will probably not be able to see everything you yourself expected to see!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/daskreativlabor.files.wordpress.com\/2019\/06\/20190203_143001_komp.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-947\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Talk about what you see and interact with your child<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While on your tour, find your personal favorite pieces and share\nopinions. Talk about how and why the artist might have created what he or she\ndid. Dive into the stories behind the art. Make up a story together or play the &#8222;I see a \u2026\n&#8220; game. You can expand the discussion by asking age appropriate questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reinforce the behaviour expectations\nthroughout your visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is not a\nquestion of restraining your children, but as part of your tour, you can teach\nthem to respect the environment and the works of art. It is a gradual process,\nbuilding on each visit you will make. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>One last word about age and taking children\nto Art Basel or any other museum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Theoretically there\nis no best age for a visit. As soon as children are not in the stroller\nanymore, you will adapt your visits and have to consciously engage with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Art Basel, mentions on its website the Kids\u2019 Lounge, where they offer supervised art programs for children aged 4+ where they can enjoy art and recreational activities while their parents visit the fair. And children aged 7 and up develop their skills at the Young Artists Studio, a paid program created in collaboration with the Museum Tinguely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explore Basel and its art institutions with\nchildren<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are lucky to live in such a culturally rich city with many wonderful art events and museums that are child friendly. If you fancy a visit with your children to an art museum, here is a selection of institutions to take your kids to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fondation Beyeler\noffers family tours, professionally lead workshops for children from 6 to 10\nyears and celebrates art twice a year with a family day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kunstmuseum has\nguided family tours in English and once a month they invite families to explore\nthe museum and experiment afterwards in the \u201cstudio\u201d. They also have children\nvernissages for new exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basler Papierm\u00fchle\n(paper mill museum) is probably to most hands-on museum in the area. The\nchildren are able to make their own paper, play with old type writers and\ncreate wonderful own works of marble art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1082\" height=\"805\" src=\"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20180103_161001_komp.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20180103_161001_komp.jpg 1082w, https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20180103_161001_komp-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20180103_161001_komp-1024x762.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20180103_161001_komp-768x571.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20180103_161001_komp-600x446.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1082px) 100vw, 1082px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Museum BL, Liestal\nis maybe often underestimated, but its innovative and playful exhibitions and\nworkshops make the trip to Liestal an unforgettable experience for children and\nfamilies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Museum Tinguely has the most amazing Kinderclub every Wednesday afternoon (except school holyday).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note:  Normalerweise schreibe ich die Blogeintr\u00e4ge in Deutsch aber dieser Artikel ist erstmals im Magazin &#8222;Parenting&#8220; von BCT Basel Children&#8217;s Trust, Volume 14, 2019. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kids are born curious and creative &#8211; therefore it is obvious that children are naturally interested in arts and experimenting. However, some support into the right direction can be of great value and encourage kids to get involved and attracted to [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/20180129_111959_resized2_komp-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/941"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=941"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2953,"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/941\/revisions\/2953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daskreativlabor.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}