MaryAnn F. Kohl, process art and treasures of childhood

Face Your Fears: Art for Toddlers and Twos

Another new article at Barnes and Noble.com  -- Parents Expert Circle.

Written by art author and advocate, consultant, and presenter, 
MaryAnn F. Kohl 

Face Your Fears: Art for Toddlers and Twos

 

Art for Older Kids: When Exploration Isn't Enough

New post at Barnes and Noble's "Parents Expert Circle".... an article written by award-winning author MaryAnn F. Kohl, children's art author, advocate, presenter, consultant, and teacher.

Art for Older Kids: When Exploration Isn't Enough

 

B&N Parents Expert Circle

 

Top 10 gifts for the holidays, from the Kids Expert Circle at BN.com

Top 10 gifts for the holidays
www.bn.com/expertcircle
The Barnes & Noble Kids' Expert Circle, comprised of leading experts in child development, literacy, teaching, and behavior, has issued their Top 10 Picks of educational toys, games and books for the holidays. 

1. "The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time" by Laurie David with recipes by Kristin Uhrenholdt  Retail price: $29.99

Recommended by Harvey Karp, M.D., FAAP: "It's great for families with kids of all ages. Fun and super practical with great recipes and ways to get kids engaged!"

2. Crazy Forts! by Crazy Forts, ages 4 and up  Retail price: $49.95

Recommended by Ellen Booth Church: "Snow coming down? Stuck inside with the kids? No need to worry about 'cabin fever' when you and your child can use this wonderful creative toy to turn sheets and blankets into imaginary worlds. This is a 'do-with-your-child' activity that builds creative thinking and problem solving. You can even add Crazy Forts Light for overnight indoor camping!"

3. Ultimate LEGO Building Set by LEGO, ages 4 and up  Retail price: $32.95

Recommended by Jen Klein: "There's nothing like LEGO to get the whole family on the floor yes, including the adults creating creatures and buildings and any number of things from imagination. Whether a bucket or a set, LEGO is a classic toy for a reason. There will be LEGO under our tree!"

4. Brain Quest Game by University Games, ages 5-13  Retail price: $26.95

Recommended by Leigh A. Bortins: "Christmas in our home is a great time to play games. Brain Quest allows children of various ages to play together at their own skill level. Children enjoy reciting what they have learned, and this game gives them the perfect opportunity. This game is wonderful for a night of popcorn, hot chocolate and family fellowship."

5. Talking Farm by Chicco, ages 12 months and up  Retail price: $39.95

Recommended by Jennifer Shu, M.D., FAAP: "This is a great toy that will keep your little one busy. It has many features to help your baby or toddler develop many of the five basic senses. From its flashing lights, varied sounds and clickable buttons, this is a toy that will hold the attention span of any child."

6. "Touch & Discover Book" by Tiny Love, ages 6-18 months   Retail price: $24.95

Jennifer Shu: "What a great gift to get for a developing baby or toddler! Not only does it develop motor skills, but it also teaches the basics of learning. From developing babies' communication skills, to stimulating their sight and touch senses, this is great book for any baby."

7. "Mini Masters Boxed Set" by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober, for infants through preschool  Retail Price: $19.99

Recommended by MaryAnn F. Kohl: "This set of boxed board books shows the works of four great masters of art, and is for the very youngest child."

8. "Elf on the Shelf" by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell Retail price: $29.95

Recommended by Jackie Silberg: "One of the most popular and timeless holiday classics, this book and toy set is a favorite of parents and children. Not only is it a great story to read during the holidays but also a great way to teach children about being a 'good girl or boy.' This is a great holiday activity for the whole family!"

9. Qwirkle by MindWare, ages 6 and up  Retail Price: $24.95

Recommended by Jane Nelson, Ed.D.: "One of the games played by children in a study out of Oakland that found that children from a low-functioning school who played fun reasoning games in an after school program a couple times a week, improved their overall test scores by a large percentage compared the children who were given other test preparations."

10. "Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct" by Mo Willems  Retail Price: $16.99

Jane Nelson: "A wonderful, humorous and touching book on the power of being heard. I love it as much as my grandkids do!"

Posted on Mon, Dec. 13, 2010 05:17 AM

Exploring the Art Museum with Kids

 
Exploring the Art Museum: 

Making the Most of Your
Child's First Visit

by MaryAnn F. Kohl

 

Taking children to an art museum can be an outing that is both fun and educational. You do not need to be an expert or an art historian to introduce young boys and girls to the wonderful world of great art. Children will love exploring the museum and discovering interesting and familiar subjects in the paintings and other pieces. All you need is a little planning and an hour or two to enjoy visiting the museum's exhibits. The following ideas will work well for you and your child, or for you and a group of children. If bringing a group, be sure to enlist extra help to give you a hand. If you prefer, you can even break up into smaller groups. 

Planning a First Visit to an Art Museum 

Before the Visit

• Talk with your child about what an art museum is and how it might look. Check out a few books about museums and artists to read together so your child is introduced simply and gradually to the idea. Discuss how a museum is different than a store.
• Look online at the museum's website and preview the special exhibits or artists who are part of the current displays or collections. Make note of a few your child might like. You can also write to the museum and ask for a current brochure to be mailed to your child.
• Together, look online at the museum's website, sharing with your child what you've found, and paying attention to his or her interests as the two of you browse.
• Together, look through a few books about great artists' lives and works. " If your child is interested in something specific, be sure to add that to your plan.

Preparing for the Visit - the Game Plan

• Ask the museum what the least crowded times and days might be, and work that into your plan.
• Leave time in you plan for snacks, breaks, restrooms, and rest. Two hours is about as long as any child can handle.
• Visit at a time of day that is most comfortable for your child.
• Bring the notes of what your child is most interested in seeing and mark the museum map so you can find them easily.

The First Visit 

Museum Rules 

• Most museums don't have many rules, but running is never allowed.
• Children may speak in a normal voice; whispering is not required.
• Don't touch artwork unless it's in a children's hands-on area where touching is encouraged.

Who's Driving the Visit?

• Kids will want to see definite things and completely skip others. Relax and enjoy the visit as it unfolds. Let your child drive the visit.
• Some children may want to bring a sketchbook and pencil to make notes or draw things along the way.
• Reading labels of the artworks can be educational and interesting, but only read those in which your child is most interested. Less is always best with young children who are being introduced to a new experience.

Ideas to Make the Visit an Adventure 

Some ideas from which you can choose to make the visit interactive are listed below. Searching or hunting for special things in artwork will make the visit an adventure that will stay with your child long after the trip is over. As you and your child find things of interest, talk about them as you view the artwork, and follow up at school or home if your child is still interested. 

Choose to look for: 
Animals or strange creatures: notice animals and talk about their colors, shapes, or features. 
Funny or interesting faces: try to imitate the expressions of faces in paintings or sculptures. 
Places to live: notice different kinds of homes and buildings. 
Dress-up, clothing, and costumes: notice different kinds of clothing, and consider creating a costume when you get home. 
Play: find children, people, or animals at play. 
All kinds of colors: crazy, lovely, and new - make note of colors and find them or mix them with paints at home. 
Shapes and textures: look for shapes like circles and rectangles, or textures like blurry and scratchy. 

Choose to be creative: 
Tell stories: make up a story about a painting or sculpture. 
Imagine: traveling through time and living in the painting. 
Talk about: how the objects in the artwork would taste or feel or smell? 

Choose favorites

• Remember a favorite painting from the visit.
• Remember the name of a favorite artist from the visit.
• Remember an artwork that is - the biggest, funniest, weirdest, tiniest, most colorful, etc.
• Remember a favorite moment from the visit - something interesting, funny, or special about the experience.

Before the Visit Ends

• Before the adventure is over, visit the museum gift shop and encourage your child to choose a postcard that shows a favorite artwork or artist from the day's outing. You can be sure that your child will never forget this particular special image.
• Don't worry if you didn't see everything you planned. Your child will be better equipped for the next visit and you will both be able to choose special things to find or revisit.
• Plan to visit again!

Recommended Books about the Masters
by MaryAnn

Encouraging a Love of Art Through Reading: New!! B&N Kids' Expert Circle

Encouraging a Love of Art Through Reading

Does hearing the names of famous picture book illustrators make you hop up and run to the bookshelf to find a treasured storybook to read? People like Leo Lionni (Swimmy), Eric Carle (Very Hungry Caterpillar), Ian Falconer (Olivia), Lois Ehlert (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom), Clement Hurd (Goodnight Moon), Ezra Jack Keats (The Snowy Day), Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are), to name just a few. What these creative people have given to children through their classic storybooks is more than stories to love — it's an everlasting open door to creativity and imagination. What a gift!