Talking+with+young+people+about+art

Talking with young people about art
Adults can help children by being interested participants and patient observers and listeners. Suggestions to guide a discussion about a child's art follow.


 * Keep the individual child's age, ability, and personality in mind. There are predictable timetables for when children are able to achieve certain things in their art, such as draw a full figure, mix colors, and paint the sky so it touches the ground. In addition, some children are more skilled or interested in using art to express themselves; thus there is a wide range in the look and feel of the final product.
 * Ask the child to describe what was drawn. Try, "Tell me about your picture." Hearing from the child directly enriches one's understanding of what was done. Keep in mind that "one picture can be worth 1,000 words". But language helps others understand the nuances of what was depicted, especially when younger children's skills do not match their elaborate thinking and imagination.
 * Ask the child to tell a story. One way to begin is by prompting the child with "once upon a time…" then ask the artist to continue, including a beginning, middle, and end.
 * Ask about the formal elements of the art - colors, shapes, use of space, objects. There are times when things will be mismatched; trees will be purple or a scene described as full of people will be empty. Children often have direct explanations for their choices.
 * Abstract art may capture feelings, sensations, and memories more vividly than an accurate realistic creation. Because abstract art may be more difficult to understand, it is important to find out more about the personal ideas and meaning of the art to fully comprehend it.
 * Be specific about your response. Enthusiasm is enormously helpful, but discussion is encouraged when adults' comments are tied to particular features of the art. "You really captured the expression on Dad's face" or "That looks exactly like I remember it" rather than "That's a great painting", engages the child more with their art and the conversation.
 * Consider what might be missing but inquire about why. Some children have great difficulty drawing hands, or they ran out of room on the page, making their pictures seem incomplete or unusual. The child is the best source of information about what was included and what was not.
 * Be attentive and inquire about symbols. Children can use typical symbols as a way of expressing themselves, as when they use hearts to portray loving feelings. But symbols can also be quite personal, and children must be asked about any private meaning.
 * Adults should use an open mind and accepting attitude when viewing children's art. It is helpful to suspend one's own thoughts so as not to attribute adult meaning to children's art.

Adapted from Goodman, Robin F. __Talking to Kids About Their Art__. NYU Child Study Center.