Art appreciation: teaching children to look, think, and talk about art
Art has a unique way of inspiring and opening our minds to new cultures and ideas. As parents and educators, we have the opportunity to instil a love for the arts in children and help them learn to appreciate it. Here are some practical tips on how to teach kids to look at, think about, and talk about art:
Teach them to observe
When visiting museums or art galleries, expose them to various forms of art: paintings, sculptures, and mixed media.
Ask insightful questions such as "How does this piece of art make you feel?" or "What kind of materials do you think the artist used?" This encourages them to engage with the artwork on a deeper level, much more insightful than a simple like/dislike response.
Promote critical thinking
Ask questions such as, "Why do you think the artist chose these colours?" or "What story do you think is being told?" to encourage deeper thinking.
Support individual interpretations: remind them art can mean different things to different people, and it's okay if their feelings about a piece are different from their friends.
Introduce artistic styles and movements
Widen their knowledge by introducing different styles and the artists who work within them.
Engage in discussion and present works of renowned artists, such as Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh. Give examples and identify what is unique about each one.
Create a safe space for discussion
Lead open discussions in a comfortable environment.
Share feelings: Let the children talk about their opinions and feelings freely; ask them how a particular piece of art makes them feel.
Encourage active listening: Let them listen to their peers after they share their thoughts, which helps set up respectful dialogue.
Encourage self-expression
Let the children create their own artwork, especially after visiting an exhibition. They get to put into practice what they have learned.
Allow a variety of materials that they can use and different techniques to be explored. My favourites are oil pastels, watercolours and coloured pencils.
Celebrating Creativity: Allow them to present their pieces and talk about what they attempted to do and for what reason (even if it’s for no reason at all). Remember to inform them that there is no right or wrong in art.
Give constructive feedback
Give creative feedback about their artwork. It's always easy to say things like, "How pretty!" or "You're so talented!" - after a while, these words become empty.
You can make more descriptive comments like, "I really love how you used blue here. Can you tell me more about this part?" Alternatively, "Your attention to detail is impressive! What inspired you?" Always ask them if they liked making it, and encourage them to take ownership of their work.
It initiates children into the appreciation of art-allowing them to be creative and affording them opportunities to develop their empathetic and critical-thinking powers.
And most importantly, have fun with art; it’s all about exploring, creating, and enjoying the process!