Art appreciation for kids

Art appreciation for kids discusses ways parents can help get children interested in, and excited about art.

Youngsters who love to doodle and scribble are on their way to appreciating art and all its beauty. To increase the chance that your child will appreciate art as he or she grows, consider some innovative approaches to art appreciation.

1 -- Give them art supplies. Boost your child’s appreciation for art by purchasing art supplies on a routine basis and for birthday or special holidays. Keep your child stocked with age-appropriate supplies, including pencils, washable crayons and markers, activity books, water-based paint, glue and glue sticks, scissors and colored construction paper. Yarn, wooden ice cream sticks and other art supplies also will encourage your child to enjoy making fun, creative art projects. An easel is a fun art supply that offers hours of entertainment. If you have space limitations, consider purchasing a laptop or collapsible easel.

2 – Encourage the messes. Chances are you child will appreciate doing art-related projects if she or he knows it is OK to get messy. Allot space in your child’s bedroom or your family room for an easel, or for other art-related activities. To avoid ruining carpet, put an old bedspread or flannel sheet under the easel. To avoid ruining walls or other surfaces, make sure the easel is not resting near anything that can be harmed by paint or other art materials. To protect your child’s clothing you may want to consider buying an inexpensive plastic or cloth smock for your child to use while using paint and markers. You can also encourage the messes by helping your child select two sets of old clothing solely for use during art time.

3 – Share their art. Encourage your child to make special occasion cards, thank you notes and other art projects for other family members, teachers, ill neighbors and sick friends.

4 – Ask the expert. If you’re not creative, ask other family members, friends or teachers you know to help your child with their art exercises, or help you to develop interesting projects for your child. Also, you may want to consider purchasing activity books that give detailed instruction on specific age-appropriate art projects.

5 – Enroll them in art class. In many cases, youngsters can take art class at school. However, some school budgets have eliminated or drastically reduced such classes. To increase your child’s appreciation of art, consider enrolling him or her in an art class. Before you opt for an expensive art class, consider lower cost alternatives such as a class taught at a neighborhood youth center, church or other religious institution or in conjunction with programs offered by the Girl and Boy Scouts and other youth organizations. Also, many communities offer art classes in conjunction with other summer youth activities. Explore these summer art opportunities early as many fill up immediately after registration begins.

6 – Visit local museums and other attractions locally and on vacation. Depending on your child’s age, you may want to include ongoing visits to local museum and other attractions showcasing art in its various forms. If you’re stumped for ideas, check the calendar section of your local newspaper for exhibits or other activities that might interest you and your child. These days, many cities have “children’s museums,” especially designed to instruct and entertain youngsters. When vacation planning, determine whether your planned destination has any such institution or similar local attractions that could spur you child’s art appreciation. Then, make plans to stop by during your vacation.

Be sure to check out our Art Classes section to find Art Classes in your area!