June 5, 2007 3:41 PM
Kid-friendly art - at home
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| Kid Friendly Art |
One simple way to enrich the lives of your children is to bring art into your home. You don't have to know much to get started - I didn't! - but the key for moms is to see things through a child's eyes.
Kids are so responsive to pictures! Good art can lead to enriched language experiences and can stimulate critical thinking skills. Art can encourage and inspire your children if you will bring it within their sphere.
Keep in mind that they are much shorter than you, so be sure not to hang pictures too high - and provide some at their level too. So what if you don't see it in Architectural Digest? A family's home should be less about decorating perfection and more about nurturing and encouraging and inspiring the souls inside.
To show how I've used art at home, I simply took a walk through my house to share what I've collected over 37 years of mothering - with my thoughts on why I chose each. Keep in mind that like every mother, I started from scratch.
Click on the picture above to see my photo journal.
For more on introducing your kids to all the fine arts, see Head Start on the Arts.
Posted in Art, Homeschooling, Montessori, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
It is amazing how captivating beautiful art can be!
I was at my wit's end as to how to get our boys to pay attention at prayer time. I bought some really beautiful note cards depicting the mysteries of the Rosary. Now they have something to bring the prayer to life and they really seem to connect to the life of Christ in the images. They sit still and we can really discuss the things they are seeing.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 5, 2007 7:25 PM
I'm a frequent reader, however infrequent commenter.
I just finished viewing the slide show and am absolutely delighted! It was wonderful to see so many beautiful works of art, some I have seen before, and others that are new to me. Your children are so blessed to grow up/have grown up in such an enriching environment. I don't have children yet, however I am inspired to start collecting and hanging pictures as a result of seeing the work you have done for your children. Children aside, it's inspiring for adults as well!
Fine job, Barbara and thank you for sharing with us!
Posted by: Katie B. | June 5, 2007 11:14 PM
At a homeschooling convention recently, I came across a book, How to Use Child-size Masterpieces, which uses a very Montessori-based approach and postcard-sized reproductions of works of art. I bought the Parent/Teacher manual and the first book of postcards, and am planning to buy the second and third books of postcards very soon -- my kids love this stuff! The parent/teacher manual also has instructions for selecting and using postcards from ones you might have on hand already or get from the local museum, and the site I linked to above also sells tons of other, inexpensive books of postcards. (I've also been using my laminator on the cards, to help them last longer -- thanks for the tip, Barbara!)
I love all the ideas you give, and just thought I'd share about something I found that seemed to mesh really well. Thanks!
Newt
Posted by: Newt Sherwin | June 6, 2007 9:14 AM
Oh, thank you for the mini art show. I love how art is the purest expression of the people in a home. I enjoy gathering art as well and have an eclectic mix of things too. I love your dedication to exposing the kids the the fascination of visual delights that exist away from the TV screen.
Posted by: Kelly | June 6, 2007 11:48 AM
Hello
I have just been reading some of your blogs, I had briefly visited before, looking for the cow picture for remembrance of the Fullers. I am a customer and friend of Christina. I am glad that I stopped by as I have been enjoying reading your articles on Down syndrome. My Andrew is 9 going on 10. He struggles with alot. He walks and runs and eats VERY well. He was talking when he was younger then around 3 he stopped. We have been very discouraged by this. We are also still struggling with potty training. Sigh....... Andrew is stubborn, LOL He does not want to do what he does not want to do and there is really no arguing with him. All his IEPs read the same, LOL. He is very pleasant and loving especially to his favorite people. He also loves school. SO we have a very unhappy camper right now. Anyway thank you for all the wonderful articles. I am a weary mom and appreciated them, I will be back to read more.
Hugs
Amy
Posted by: Amy | June 6, 2007 1:11 PM
Art is critical. I was so disappointed in our school's art classes that I started my own... in our basement. My Arts & Crafts program ran after school and in the summers for 5 years, before it was time to move on. What an enriching experience for everyone! Thanks for this post. Hugs, e-Mom
Posted by: e-Mom | June 6, 2007 3:33 PM
