Talking to your kids about art

Some of FAM's exhibitions can help open a dialogue within a family to help a young child or teen better understand a concept, an art movement, or a social issue. It's okay if you don't know the answer to your or your child's questions. Not knowing just provides a great opportunity to research together while you're in the Museum or when you get home. Our website page on the current exhibitions often has links for more information. Ask for a map at the front desk. You will see that the backside has a description of our current exhibitions.

Museum Etiquette

• A flyer prepared for third-graders which answers the question What is a Museum? and how do I behave in one. It also answers the question Why can't I touch? You can download and discuss with your child or children before visiting FAM or any art museum.
• Watch a video prepared by teens at the De Young Museum in San Francisco called Museums Rule! Why do art museum rules exist?
   

Exploring the Art

You don't need to know anything about the artist or the artwork you see in a museum. You can explore it and open discussions with your child with just a few simple questions. You may even learn that you and your children see things in completely different ways. That is perfectly okay. You can appreciate your differences. Download a copy of How do I talk to my kids about art? before you come or ask for a copy at the front desk and make the most out of your visit and learn how to engage your kids.

If you're visiting with young children ask to borrow a Preschooler Bag at the front desk to help children explore some of the formal elements of art by using suggestions in our How do I talk to my kids about art guide?