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Home › Articles › Preteenagers › Preteen Picassos

Preteen Picassos

Encourage a Budding Artist

By Teri Brown

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Field Trips
There are many different art field trips you can take as a family. Fetter suggests that you take your child to see a variety of art mediums such as monuments, sculptures, historic home tours and Historic Society events, as well as architectural tours of significant buildings and landmarks in your area. "You can even plan weekend family outings to other cities to explore new museums and art events," she says. "Libraries are full of books on specific artists. Bring home one new book each library trip and explore the works of a new artist together."

Fetter believes that parents often feel inadequate in regard to their understanding of art, so they may let those feelings keep them from exploring art with their children. "Remember, you can observe and learn together," she says. "Art museums often conduct tours for adults and children together, and this is a wonderful vehicle for you to learn more as individuals and as a family."

Art Classes
If your child is interested in art classes, you can often find some good ones by contacting your local art league or art supply store for referrals in your area. You can also check the yellow pages for independent art studios that offer student classes. "Always provide a variety of materials for your children to explore with at home, while simultaneously enrolling them in more structured class settings," Fetter says. "Remember that any new skill we desire to develop takes training, and that certainly applies in developing one's artistic abilities!"

Kirsten Giddings Beard is the founding visual art teacher for the Atlanta Girls' School in Atlanta, Ga. She believes that preteens can be discouraged from liking art when teir exploration is limited in some way. "Children are turned off of art when they think they are not good at it," she says. "It is important for children to realize that they can learn how to create art and explore different mediums for expression." Beard believes that a child can have difficulty with clay but develop a passion for oils and brushes. Parents should let their child experiment with unconditional support to find a good niche for them.

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