- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preteenagers today articles
- preteenagers today q&a
- teenagers today articles
- teenagers today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Preteen Picassos
Encourage a Budding Artist By Teri Brown
Picasso, Degas and Monet, oh my! You trot these names out in front of a bunch of preteens and you can almost watch their eyes glaze over. But it doesn't have to be that way. Art is an exciting expression of human nature and culture, and if you can communicate that excitement to a preteenager, you just might have an art convert.
Julie Perko, art specialist at the Portland Art Museum, believes that the first step in raising art-friendly preteens is being art-friendly ourselves, both at home and in our schools. "If we do not show our children that we value art by taking them to museums and offering art making at school, they will not value it either," she says. "Most parents are not comfortable enough with the arts to be the sole inspiration for their children; therefore, we definitely need the schools to be involved."
One way the schools are involved is by offering various art programs such as the Young Rembrandts Program. Young Rembrandts is part of a national franchise whose curriculum is based on enhancing overall academic success through the teaching of art skills, and has been available for the last 10 years. Bette Fetter is the president and founder of Young Rembrandts. She believes that the love of art must begin at home. "Children look to their parents to see what they find interesting and worth their attention, so art appreciation structured as family outings has a great impact on children," Fetter says. "Plan family outings to local museums, local art fairs, even the art store to find some new art materials to explore with."
