Play in theArt museum

Portland Art Museum edition

An Art Museum Guide for Preschool Kids and Their Adults

by Amber Jenkins

© 2013

Table of Contents

Why Play? 4

How to use play in the musem 6

Before you go... 10

Choosing art 16

Talking about art 18

Keep Going!!!! 20

More Resources 22

Cards for museum visits:

Words to use

Questions to guide

Play in the art museum

Family Tour

Color Tour

Shape Tour

Creature Tour

Treasure Hunt

4

WhyPlay provides children open-ended opportunities to explore their own interests and discover their passions. Children are motivated to learn as they play because they are in control of the experience and have a choice in the subject. Through play, children try on new ideas, behaviors, skills, and roles without fear of failure. There is a sense of freedom in play. It is a joyful

and focused experience that allows children to use all of their senses. Play is about spontaneity and choice, but it can also be guided by adults interested

5

play is about spontaneity and choice, but it can also be guided by adults

“Play is the answer to the question: how does anything new come about?” - Piaget

?in introducing new information in an age appropriate and exciting way.

Exploration, experimentation, and discovery are at the heart of any great Museums

bring out the sense of adventure in all of us as we explore and see new things. Making and learning about art inspires a sense of experimentation and willingness to discover new ways of looking. This makes play a great partner for learning with young children at the art museum!

play experience. These same qualities are inspired by

museum visits and making art. Museums

6

How to use play in the using play and your child’s interests to keep them engaged and excited about seeing art

Using play in the art museum isn’t about giving up control of your child, it is about using play and interests to keep your child engaged and excited about seeing art and talking and learning about it with you. Focusing on play keeps us from looking for one right answer and opens our minds to experimentation and exploration of new ideas. This makes it great for introducing the art museum to children in a way that makes connections and minimizes the fear of making mistakes.

7

art museum!

“People tend to forget that play is serious.”-David Hockney

Adults play an important part in keeping learning activities playful. Playing along with your child will encourage and excite him as you create a memorable experience. Try to let the activity unfold according to your child’s interest instead of guiding him toward a right answer or the “real world”. Imagining and experimenting are key ingredients in play and in experiencing art. Allow yourself to experience the museum alongside your child.

Remember that learning for early childhood and preschool children happens through interacting personally with each work of art, not through hearing and memorizing information about it. With this in mind, you should try to be flexible with time while you are at

8

“Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.”-Henri Matisse

the museum. Let your child stay at a work of art until she is done interacting with the piece and are ready to move on. You may not cover as much as you’d like but the experience will be more engaging and memorable for both of you.

As you move through the museum with your child, try to mix quiet activities with more physical activities. For example, play a movement game at one work of art then let your child sit down on the floor and draw at the next work. This will help to keep your child moving, use all of his or her senses, and provide an element of surprise at each artwork.

9

“Children also want to develop powers of their own.”-Sarah Sergeant Richardson

Play in the museum requires:• Space and time that feels free for

experimentation and exploration and has the encouragement of adults.

• Toys, like blocks or pencil and paper that can be used in a variety of ways, allowing for open-ended play.

• Activity rules that allow for change and re-inventing the activity as it goes along.

• The opportunity to use our own skills and talents on the space, toys, and rules.

10

Before you go...Checklist:Museum LayoutRulesIntroduce your childConsider your child’s interestPick a ThemeMake Art

Planning for your museum visit is as important as the visit itself. Museums can be overwhelming for children and their caregivers at first with all of the sights, sounds, and activity. Having some basic information can help alleviate stress and allow you to hit the ground running.

Museum layoutLook at the museum map. Most museums have maps on their websites. Look for spaces designed for specifically for children. Also, look for the locations of bathrooms and areas where food and drinks are allowed. Some museums have family guides that can be printed out to help with navigating the museum. Look at the galleries and special exhibits to get an idea of what you will be able to see during your visit. This information can help in

11

!Having some basic informationcan help alleviate some of the stress and allow you to hit the ground running.

planning which galleries to visit and how you will move through the museum.

Rules and expectationsIt also helps to know what the museum rules are. Do you have to be quiet? Can you bring in pencils or other art materials? Take some time to think about what you are expecting from your child during the visit as well.

12

“Play gives children the chance to practice what they are learning.”-Mr. Rogers

Introduce your child to the museumYour child will have the chance to develop ideas and expectations of the museum visit if you

introduce the museum before you go. Let your child look at a map of the museum and talk about some of the things you will see and do at the museum. Talk to your child about the purposes of a museum and relate museum collections to your child’s own collections of books, toys, etc. Set clear goals for behavior and what you want to do while you are there. Children who know what to expect from a museum visit settle in to the experience much quicker than those who have to figure it all out once they get there. They are more relaxed and ready to look right from the start.

If you can’t do this in advance, find a quiet spot in the lobby and take a few minutes to look over a map with your child and have a quick talk about rules.

13

You will be suprised at the information your child will share

about the art. It’s a great chance to learn from your child!

Your child’s interestsUse your child’s interests as a guide for planning what to see at the museum. Connecting to life outside the museum will help your child feel more comfortable and build on what they already know and experience. The end result is learning that is more meaningful and lasting and the ability to see art as part of his/her world.

Pick a themeYour child’s interests can also be used to pick a theme for your visit. A favorite color or a subject like “mother and child” can connect a wide variety of styles or cultures and provide focus for your child’s experience. For examples, see the tour cards for the themes red, shapes, family, and creatures based on works at the Portland Museum of Art.

14

Let it be child-ledAn alternative to choosing a theme is letting your child be the tour guide. Let him or her lead you through the galleries and stop at the works that are interesting. Use questions to encourage your child to describe and interpret the art he or she chose. You will be surprised at the information your child will share about the art. This is a great chance to learn from your child!

Make art!!!!Introduce your child to some of the mediums he or she will experience at the museum. Paint, draw, play with dough, build with blocks, or create collages. Children who experiment with materials develop an understanding of what art is and how it’s

made. These activities allow your children to see themselves as artists and build a connection to and interest in the art they see in the museum.

15

Choose things to take with youChoose a few books or toys that relate to the artwork you plan to see. Open-ended toys like wax sticks or foam shapes can be used to build sculptures in a quiet area of the museum or while you take a snack break. Most museums allow pencil and paper as well. Give your child time to sit and draw in the galleries. The results of the drawings and sculptures may look nothing like what is on the walls but it is an inspiring experience to look and think like an artist in such a beautiful environment.

Books (see some suggestions in the “More Resources” page) on art or artists create a connection between what is in the museum and the everyday activity of reading. Take a few minutes to sit in the gallery and quietly read with your child. It is a nice break and will give you the opportunity to talk about how the story relates to your museum visit.

A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard.-Benjamin Spock

16

Choosing artChoosing the right art to view with your child can be the difference between boredom and excitement. Not all art is the same. Some pieces have more complicated images or subjects that are inappropriate for your child. Your child already has preferences for certain colors and subjects and these can be great guides for choosing art to look at since they provide your child with a connection to something familiar. Focus on pieces that fit your child’s age and interests.

17

“We learn to read through the activity of reading; others assist by supplying the right challenge at the right time. Why not apply the same principles to choosing art to engage and motivate beginning viewers?” Philip Yenawine

Look for:• Subjects that are identifiable or, at least,

somewhat familiar.• Artwork that tells a story - portraits,

landscape, seascape, cityscape, and self-portraits provide starting points for great stories and connections.

• A mix of cultures and styles for interest and expanding your child’s ideas of art

• A variety of mediums from painting to sculpture and photography

• Simple, colorful, high contrast works provide easy access for your child

18

Talking about art!As you introduce your child to words for colors or encourage the exploration of texture while playing with food, you are helping him/her learn about concepts that make up the art world. Young children aren’t looking for an art history lesson. They want to talk about what they see, how it makes them feel, make up a story about it, and what they think it means. These moments can become great lessons in the meaning and ideas behind works of art.

Share your thoughts and ideas with your child to encourage them to think about art from other perspectives.

19

“Young children are intellectually capable of observing and reflecting upon adult artworks andtheir own if they are engaged in meaningful conversations by adults.” Eli Trimmis and Andri Savva

Questions are an excellent tool for keeping a child interested and focused on a work of art. Asking questions lets your child know that you value his/her thoughts and feelings. Sharing questions and answers about art in this way teaches your child to think through ideas and develop problem-solving skills. Suggested questions to use in the museum are listed on the cards at the back of the book.

Just play.Have fun.Enjoy the game.- Michael Jordan

20

Keep Going!

Making art is equivalent toappreciating art, as both actions are creative.” Ishikawa

Your child will become more comfortable in the museum with each additional visit. Breaking up the museum into several shorter visits will keep everyone’s attention fresh and allow you to see more of the museum. Repeat visits also allow you to build on what was learned in previous visits. Once you are done with your visit, you can extend your child’s learning by doing activities at home that are inspired by what you’ve seen and talked about.

ReadBooks, magazines, or websites that

relate to an artist or a subject you

discovered during your visit are a

great way to connect to your visit

and build on the excitement and

learning!

21

Play is training for the unexpected.-Marc Beckoff

Make art !Use your visit as inspiration for creating your own works of art. Try a new medium or use the sketches made during your visit to inspire a work of art. For example, use the shapes and colors your child drew to create a collage by tearing or cutting pieces and rearranging them. As you are making art, talk about how it is connected with what you experienced at the museum. Display the art you make in a style similar to the galleries to allow for more discussion and sharing of ideas about the museum.

Create a collection Now that you’ve seen a collection, make one of your own! Talk about what you would like to collect and how you will display it. Your collection can be anything from plastic animals to your child’s artwork. Have your child help organize and set up the display. Once you’ve set up your collection, let your child lead a tour!

22

More resourcesCheck out my website for links to other great resources for everything from making art to talking about art with your child!

http://playintheartmuseum.weebly.com

Books to read togetherThe Dot by Peter H. ReynoldsGreen by Laura Vaccaro SeegerThe Red Book by Barbara LehmansBlack and White by David MacaulayOne by Kathryn OtoshiMy Many Colored Days by Dr. SeussSeen Art? by Jon Scieszka, Lane SmithThe Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric CarleCrafty Chloe by Kelly DiPucchioExtra Yarn by Mac BarnettLittle Yellow and Little Blue by Leo Lionni

23

The following pages are meant to be printed as cards to be taken with you during your museum visit!

Words to use...

Your child’s language is developing quickly. This makes it a great time to introduce the words that are used in talking about art. Start with these:

Texture the way the surface of the work of art is represented through the medium

Line Lines can be all shapes, thicknesses, and color. These qualities give them character and can express things like emotion or movement.

Shape Shapes can be geometric like circles or squares or organic free-form shapes.

ColorColors are endless and can influence the meaning or feeling of a work of art. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow which can be mixed to make all other colors. Cool colors are blues, greens, and purples while warm colors are reds, oranges, and yellows. Colors can have different values which means they are lighter or darker.

LandscapeA picture that represents natural areas.

FigureA picture representing the human form.

PortraitAn work of art that represents a likeness of a person, particularly focused on the face.

Self-portraitAn artists representation of him or herself.

SculptureA work of art that is 3-d or relief and was carved, modeled, or assembled.

MobileA sculpture of balanced units suspended in air and moved by the breeze.

Questions to guide:Try some of these questions to encourage your child to talk about art. Remember that each child and each work of art is different. Choose questions you think fit your child best. Share your ideas as well. Mix it up as you go along, using different questions at each work of art.

What do you see?

What is happening in this work of art?

What do you see that makes you say that?

What more can we find?

What do you think the artist is trying to tell us?

Why did the artist make this piece?

How does this work of art make you feel?

Which work of art in this room is your favorite? Why?

What would you see, smell, hear if you were in this work of art?

What types of lines were used?

What colors do you see?

What shapes do you see in this work of art?

Play in the museum!There are many ways to bring play into the museum in a way that guides learning while keeping your child entertained and focused. Try some of these games and activities to keep the experience playful. Remember to have fun!

GamesTreasure Hunt – Before you go, make a list of things to find. Pick a theme or look for everyday items like food, animals, colors, shapes, and families. Look at all types of artwork to see what you can find. This is a

fun way to encourage your child to take time with a work of art and look closely.

Pose - Take turns copying poses from a work of art. Challenge the other members of your group to figure out the work of art the pose is from. This game is great for all types of artwork from photography to sculpture.

I Spy- Each person takes a turn picking a work of art, The rest of the group asks yes/no questions until they have enough information to guess the work of art.

Play in the museum!Find a specific number of items - for instance find 10 dogs. This game allows you to show your child that similar subjects can be found in all types of art. The dogs for example can be found in Renaissance as well as Chinese art.

ActivitiesLook from different distances - How does the work of art look close up? How does it change from far away?

Viewfinder- Use a viewfinder to limit the area of the artwork that you can see. Does it change the story? Cut out the viewfinder included in the tour cards before you go.

Storytelling - What story does this work of art tell?

Dramatics - Play out the story told in the work of art. Each person in the group takes a part

Movement - Show with your facial and body language how this work of art makes you feel.

Art making - Most museums allow pencil and paper. Let your child draw something inspired by a work of art or copy textures or shapes. Use the viewfinder or sit at different distances to draw. The drawings can be used in follow up activities.

Websites – Check out the website for the museum. Many museums provide suggestions for pre- and post-visit activities that relate to their exhibits.

Fam

ily T

ou

r

A. Boy with Peep Show by Jean Honore FragonardB. A Peasant Family by Jean MichelinC. The Georges Family by Paul GeorgesD. Family Portrait by Ralph Chesse

10

1

2

3

4

5

6B

1

2

34

5

6

7

8

9 1. Japanese Art2. Korean Art3 & 4. Chinese Art5. Islamic Ceramics6. Museum Shop7. Museum Grounds8. Special Exhibit9. Sculpture Court10. Sculpture Mall

1. American Art2. English Silver3. European Art4. Native American Art5 & 6. Special ExhibitA

B

C

D

The family tour is designed as an introduction to the museum setting. The subject is one that all children are familiar with and the images easily invite stories and activities. The tour is limited to one floor and four images making it easy to manage in a short visit. Though only a few paintings, this tour covers four distinct styles of painting.

Boy with Peep Show by Jean Honore FragonardWhat do you see?What makes you say that?Look from different distances - How does the work of art look close up? How does it change from far away?

A Peasant Family by Jean MichelinHow do these colors make you feel?What would you see, smell, hear if you were in this work of art?Dramatics - Play out the story told in the work of art. Each person in the group takes a part

The Georges Family by Paul GeorgesWhat do you think the artist is trying to tell us about this family?What types of lines were used?Pose - Take turns copying poses from a work of art. The other members of your group have to figure out which person the pose is from.

Family Portrait by Ralph ChesseHow does this work of art make you feel?What is the family doing?Drawing - take a few minutes to draw some of the shapes and lines you see in this painting.

Co

lor T

ou

r

A. Untitled by Peter SchuyffB. Karatsu Autumn Festival by Tamaka MasakiC. Family Portrait by Ralph CheeseD. Portrait of Cardinal Domenico by Sir Anthony Van DyckE. Field of Poppies by Charles-Francois Daubiguy

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

34

5

6

7

8

9 1. Japanese Art2. Korean Art3 & 4. Chinese Art5. Islamic Ceramics6. Museum Shop7. Museum Grounds8. Special Exhibit9. Sculpture Court10. Sculpture Mall

1. American Art2. English Silver3. European Art4. Native American Art5 & 6. Special Exhibit

A

B

C

D

E

The Color Tour unites works created across a wide range of periods and styles through the use of the color red. With color as the guide, your child has the opportunity to explore how one color can actually look very different and create different feelings. This tour will also allow your child to connect a color they often use with works of art created in a variety of cultures.

Untitled by Peter SchuyffHow does this painting make you feel?How many different shades of red do you see?Draw some of the shapes and textures you see in this painting.

Karatsu Autumn Festival by Tamaka MasakiWhy do you think the artist made this painting?What story is the artist telling with this painting?Act out the story that this painting is telling.

Family Portrait by Ralph CheeseWhat would you see, smell, hear if you were in this work of art?Look through the viewfinder, does the story change when you can only see part of the painting? How?Have a grown-up write down words you think of when you look at this painting.

Portrait of Cardinal Domenico by Sir Anthony Van DyckWhy is this man dressed in red?What do you see that makes you think that?Use your colored pencils to draw some shapes filled in with colors you see in the painting.

Field of Poppies by Charles-Francois DaubignyWhat types of lines and shapes do you see?What do the lines tell about what is happening in this painting?Look up close and far away. How does the painting change. What do you see when you are close to the painting?

Sha

pe

To

ur

A. Large Pink Screen by James BrownB. Paintings from Illustrated Ramayana ManuscriptC. Chilkat Robe Pattern Board, unknown Tlingit artistD. The Village Church by Henri-Joseph HarpigniesE. San Francisco Street, 1936 by Hilaire Hiler

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

34

5

6

7

8

9 1. Japanese Art2. Korean Art3 & 4. Chinese Art5. Islamic Ceramics6. Museum Shop7. Museum Grounds8. Special Exhibit9. Sculpture Court10. Sculpture Mall

1. American Art2. English Silver3. European Art4. Native American Art5 & 6. Special Exhibit

A

B

C

D

E

The shape tour leads you through a variety of periods and cultures looking for shapes. Your child will have the opportunity to explore how shapes can be used in works of art for everything from faces to patterns.

Large Pink Screen by James BrownWhat shapes do you see?Why do you think the artist made this work of art?Who can make the funniest face?

Paintings from Illustrated Ramayana ManuscriptHow many shapes can you find?What’s going on in this picture?Act out the story being told by these illustrations.

Chilkat Robe Pattern Board, unknown Tlingit artistWhat do the shapes make?What do you think this board was used for?Draw animals made with these shapes.

The Village Church by Henri-Joseph HarpigniesWhat shapes make up the buildings?How do the colors in this painting make you feel?Make up a story to go with this painting.

San Francisco Street, 1936 by Hilaire HilerWhich shape is your favorite? Why do you like it?What would you see, smell, hear if you were in this work of art?Draw a picture of a neighborhood you would like to live in.

Cre

atu

re T

ou

r

A. Prancing Horse Sculpture, Chu cultureB. Bixie, attributed to Chu cultureC. Karatsu Autumn Festival by Tamaka MasakiD. Vue de Tumsie, l’Afrique by Charles Theodore FrereE. Crooked Beak Mask, unknown Kwakwaka’wakw artist

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

34

5

6

7

8

9 1. Japanese Art2. Korean Art3 & 4. Chinese Art5. Islamic Ceramics6. Museum Shop7. Museum Grounds8. Special Exhibit9. Sculpture Court10. Sculpture Mall

1. American Art2. English Silver3. European Art4. Native American Art5 & 6. Special Exhibit

A B

C

D

E

Creatures real and imagined are discovered on this tour of the art museum looking at a wide variety of mediums and cultures. Children will explore how ani-mals are used in art and the wide variety of ways they can be expressed.

Prancing Horse Sculpture, Chu cultureWhy do you think the artist made this horse?How did the artist make this horse?Act out what the horse is doing.

Bixie, attributed to Chu cultureWhat animals make up the Bixie?What powers does the Bixie have?Draw your own imaginary animal.

Karatsu Autumn Festival by Tamaka MasakiWhy did the artist paint this fish?What is the fish doing?Show how you would swim if you were a fish.

Vue de Tunisie, l’Afrique by Charles Theodore FrereWhat is happening in this painting?What do you see that makes you say that?Have an adult write down words you think of while you look at this painting.

Crooked Beak Mask, unknown Kwakwaka’wakw artistWhat do you think this mask was used for?How does this mask make you feel?Draw a mask you would like to wear.

Tre

asu

re H

un

tThe Treasure Hunt is designed for the Modern and Contemporary art galleries at the museum. This type of artwork can be more difficult for young children to understand because it is so abstract and lacks a story but they can have fun exploring color, shape, and other elements of the art. Playing a game is a great introduction and a way to experiment with looking at different types of art. Don’t expect the same depth of conversation in this section. Instead, take the opportunity to explore and play with your child!

See if you can find these things:

Level 1• A mother with her child• A big hole

Level 1R• People at the beach• A tree• A sailboat• Three ballerinas• Pears

Level 2• Triangles in the air• Yellow• A city in black• Blue, red, & green together

Please bring early childhood and preschool programming to Portland Art Museum! These are important years to learn about art and we would love the opportunity to experience the museum in a child-friendly and engaging way!

Thanks,Interested Parent/Caregiver

ClassesToursGuidesFamily Activities

Cut out view-finder for activities