NGV Schools offer ten ideas for stimulating young minds when visiting the National Gallery of Victoria.
1.
Look at art works that children relate to.
Typically, images of children and animals are most popular with young visitors.
2.
Find an artwork that makes you laugh or makes you feel sad.
Talk about it together. Remember, young children are drawn to works with animals, bright colours, lots of lines, and realistic people.
3.
Find a picture of someone who interests you.
Does he/she remind you of someone you know?
What are they thinking about?
Can you copy the face they are making?
Become an actor – move your body into the same position as his/hers.
4.
Find a picture of the bush and imagine you have climbed into it.
What can you smell?
What can you hear?
What animals and birds might you see?
How many greens can you count?
What season is it?
5.
Go on a treasure hunt.
Hunt for:
- Something furry.
- Something made of wood.
- Something gold.
- Something from a long time ago.
- Something you would like to cuddle.
- Something you can drink from.
- Something shiny.
- Something bumpy.
- An artwork that reminds you of your favourite song.
6.
Play ‘eye–spy’.
Can you spy something beginning with…?
7.
Find an artwork you really like.
Make up your own title for it.
8.
Find a picture frame with a pattern on it.
9.
Choose your favourite artwork.
What sort of things did the artist need to make this artwork?
10.
Find an abstract picture.
What shapes can you spot?
What colours can you see?
How does it make you feel?
Does it make you feel cool or hot?
