Are art galleries 'no-go zones' because your young child hasn't mastered the silence concept yet? Or are you avoiding taking your child to a gallery because you are not an art expert?
These misconceptions mean many children miss out on an important and enriching experience and an early introduction to the visual arts.
Art galleries are public places where children and babies should be seen and heard. You don't need a degree in 18th century French portraiture to be able to talk with your child about art. Concentrate on large artworks exploding with colour, which always catch the young art critic's eye. They are also attracted to artworks featuring animals and people and especially relate to pictures with children.
Armed with a few simple questions you can have some fun and stimulate a young imagination. Get some ideas from our 10 activities for young children. And there's no need to worry about the odd question you can't answer because most galleries have guides eager to help.
Every artwork has a label. As you move through the displays, learn to read the labels to find out more about each work. You can answer questions such as:
What is the artist's name?
When was the artist born?
When was the artwork made?
What is the title of the work?
Some labels even include a brief story about the work or the artist.
Take your time.
Be careful not to touch. Let your eyes do the looking.
Don't try to look at all the works in one visit. Leave something for next time. An hour to 90 minutes is adequate for one visit.
Hungry children will not enjoy a gallery visit. Enjoy refreshments in the gallery as a treat before or after your visit.
Plan a morning visit when children's attention span is greater.
Sometimes you can see different things when you look at a work from different distances. For example, when looking at big paintings, try moving further away.
Talk to someone about your discoveries!
