Art Matters: How to Introduce Your Kids to Art

Research shows that art is a universal form of expression as basic as speaking and singing. So it would make sense for parents and teachers to use art as a learning tool to develop skills — sensory, motor and visual. The Art Insider shares fives ways which you can introduce your kid to art (including the #1 question to ask them!)

© Bob and Roberta Smith

Make going to the gallery an outing:

When I was a kid, every couple of months, my mom would plan a day out that included a movie at Sterling cinema, a meal at Samovar cafe and then a stroll around Jehangir art gallery. Though I was too small to understand any of the works, creating a ritual around looking at art, made it something to look forward to!


Show them art made of unusual materials:

Kids need to be engaged and stimulated and most often, paintings maybe too two dimensional to interest them. Start with showing them installations or sculptures that can be touched and felt.


Carry a sketchbook and pencil everywhere:

It really emphasises the idea that art can be anything and anywhere by getting them to draw things from their surrounding. Plus it’s an easy activity to keep fidgety toddlers engaged.


Tell the truth:

Don’t strip away the meaning of a piece or make it more palatable just because they’re kids. You can use art to start a difficult conversation or introduce a new idea to them and show them that art has meaning and purpose.


Ask them “What do you see?”:

When taking kids to a museum or gallery, asking them for their perspective, takes away the idea of there being a ‘right’ answer to what the work is about and therefore encourages them to fire up their own imagination. After all, art is as much about what the audience sees as it is about the artist’s intent, making it the perfect tool to encourage creative little minds.

Shivani Sambhare is an independent arts writer and consultant who likes coffee, historical fiction and anything art deco. Follow her on Instagram at @the.artinsider.