Ways For Kids To Learn More About Art

Sure, the fab teachers at your child’s school have it covered in many ways... They will add some form of arts and crafts into dozen of lessons throughout the school year; and don’t forget about art class: The day of the week when the books and tests are put down and creativity and fun come out to play!
There’s just something special about art for kids. They get to use their creative side of the brain (which kids have A LOT to use), and express themselves with color, shape, and style.

**BUT** If you’re looking for MORE ART FUN outside of what they’ll receive at school, we’ve got you covered!
From ways to incorporate art into your daily lives, to online books and videos for your kids to watch, to ideas for art outside of the house, we’re here to share some ideas for introducing more art into your child (and your!) lives…



++++ TAKE THEM TO MUSEUMS ++++
Museums are a great place to introduce kids to art, but don’t overwhelm them by dragging them through every exhibit. Let them explore at their own pace. Ask them questions and take time to talk about the pieces they’re interested in.

We also love this unique museum activity from the Huffington Post: When you get to a museum, start in the gift shop and let your kids pick out a favorite postcard of a work exhibited there. Then, go on a hunt and try to find it! This allows them to take a memory with them, and makes the discovery of art personal and exciting.
The NC Museum Of Art: https://ncartmuseum.org


++++ LET THEIR MINDS WANDER ++++
Remember in art class when the teacher would introduce a new project and then spend half of the class explaining how it should be done? If you’re introducing your kids to a new craft, let them get hands-on as soon as possible. Instructions and guidance is important, but for younger kids, art is more about discovery than methodology. Get them started with some ideas and materials and let them run with it.



++++ GIVE THEM AN ART SPACE AT HOME ++++
If you have room, it’s great to have a specific area where kids can do art and make a mess. Try stocking it with found items, glue and cardboard that children can put together any way they want to, along with inexpensive watercolor and tempura paints. A big obstacle in art making is a tendency to make art too precious... we recommend the simple supplies of paper, pencils and crayons. Maybe decorate the space with rotating art postcards or pictures for inspiration. As children get older, try giving them good quality supplies and teaching them how to treat them with respect so that they see themselves as an artist.



++++ GIVE THEM MORE INFORMATION ++++
Children are endlessly curious and are empowered when they are armed with knowledge usually reserved for adults. The more fun stories that are shared about the artists, the more your kids are engaged. At age 6 or 7, kids want to know more about composition and color theory, and she gives them the information a little at a time.

**Check out these YouTube Videos/Books on various artists, making learning FUN:
Vincent van Gogh: https://www....v=qv8TANh8djI

Pablo Picasso: https://www....v=UV-i8l7OdVo
(How to draw a Picasso-style head): https://www....v=dMDdF9XpHjs

Claude Monet: https://www....v=3b668aY1Dgc

Georgia O’Keeffe: https://www....v=P_FwPgnKxKA

Piet Mondrian: https://www....v=k_t8eAca9CU

Wassily Kandinsky: https://www....v=qt89fWM9ex4


---> THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS:
Many experts believe that the greatest way to teach children art is to take them step by step through painting. This way, they’ll be able to fully comprehend what you’ve done at each phase and quickly pick up methods like what kind of brush strokes you used and how you blended the colors to get various color tones.

Nevertheless, if you want to organize your classes as workshops, you can do so, but it will take a lot more planning and preparations just to get started with children. You will need to understand how to set up your classes to get the best outcome.

Yet, if you just want to get your feet wet with the whole teaching process, you can start by looking at your local art stores or community centers and just jump in with the step-by-step approach.

We, here at PINOT’S PALETTE, love this approach! If you’ve ever been to one of our classes, you know that THIS is the way we like to do things. The majority of our guests are first-time painters who have serious doubts about whether they’ll be able to complete the artwork or not. We are firm believers that ANYONE CAN PAINT! One of our talented and patient artists will walk you through the painting, step-by-step, encouraging you the whole way. You’ll be so proud of what you accomplished by the end of class, that you’ll want to rush home and hang your masterpiece for all to see.

This is all true for your children, as well! Be sure to keep an eye on our calendar for our special ‘Family Day’ classes, ‘Little Brushes’ events, ‘Open Studio/Freestyle Afternoons’, and even take-home paint kits! These are all fabulous ways to get the kids emersed in art and creating something special, step-by-step, building confidence and art skills!

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