How to Talk to Kids About Art

Are you tired of hearing crickets when you ask your students to talk about art? Fear not, my fellow art enthusiasts!

Here are some tips to help you spark some lively conversations about art with your students:

1) First off, ask open-ended questions. Instead of asking, "What do you think about this artwork?" ask something like, "What story do you think this artwork is telling?" This encourages your students to think deeper and share their thoughts and ideas.

2) Next, make it relatable. Talk about how the artwork relates to their own lives or experiences. Maybe the colors in the painting remind them of their favorite season, or the subject matter reminds them of a family member.

3) Don't be afraid to get personal. Share your own thoughts and interpretations of the artwork, and encourage your students to do the same. Share a story about then time you saw a piece of art that changed the way you thought about the world! This creates a safe and comfortable environment for them to express themselves.

4) Use technology to your advantage. Have your students walk through Monet's Garden or play "I Spy" with images from Google Arts and Culture. There is so much out there to explore from the comfort of your classroom or home.

5) Get creative with activities. I am a huge fan of Harvard's Project Zero and their Visible Thinking Routines. Check out this pdf with art-specific ways to use the Thinking Routines in your art classroom. Never bore your kids to death by slideshow again! Taking kids to an art museum or gallery field trip? Give them an activity packet to keep them engaged!

From: https://wpvip.edutopia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/edutopia-stw-bates-artsintegration-addt27lresource-artfulthinkingroutines.pdf

Speaking of boring, for goodness sake-- keep it fun! Art should be enjoyable, so don't make it feel like a chore. I hope that with these tips, you'll be able to spark conversations about art with your students in no time. Remember, art is all about self-expression and creativity, so let your students' imaginations run wild!

Looking for more resources to use when discussing art with children? Check out:

How to Critique Art: Poster and Worksheet

Tell, Ask, Give: Poster and Handouts

Art Field Trip Museum Activity Pack