Growing Up Creative

The beach

Sunday, June 21st, was the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.  I have decided to take a break from museum talk and dedicate a post to my favorite place – the beach.

 
When Zoe was 7 months old (about 5 ½ years ago) we spent a month in Boca Raton, trying to figure out if we should move to Florida (for different reasons we have decided not to). We went to the beach almost every day; it was Zoe’s first encounter with the sand and with the bright reflective sunlight. She didn’t like it a bit.
Both Oren and I were horrified with the possibility that our own daughter will not like the beach. You see, we both grew up by the sea, spending weekends, holidays and casual afternoons immersing ourselves in the warm sand, cooling down catching waves.  The thought of our daughter not liking the beach was not an option, or as Oren says “it was an option but a really bad one”. It didn’t take much longer for Zoe to understand that spending time at the beach is essential for her development and her mom’s sanity. My cyber friend Emily (I know you are smiling Amy) writes a must read blog called “child perspective” in one of her recent posts she talks about the sensory sensation in playing with sand, I wish I read it 5 years ago.

The way we experience the beach changes from person to person and between the different ages.

For children the sea is a source of limitless imagination: 
The send and water are the raw materials of castles and fortresses
The shovel is the tool for digging and creating a complex tunnel system to be destroyed by high tides and little feet
Small hands transforming figures by sculpting them with mounts of sand, turning them into mermaids, giants etc.
Shells turned into necklaces
Rocks piled into walls
Discards rediscovered as treasure drawn from the sea
Etc.

Grown-ups use the beach in different ways:
Some people (like my husband) cannot sit or lie down at the beach, they must be active in some sort of sport such as surfing, kite boarding, playing soccer, Frisbee, etc. while others (like me) find the beach to be the perfect place to do NOTHING. For these kinds of people the best position is to recline with a great book which also blocks the sun in their eyes. And some find the beach as the perfect place to socialize (say no more).

Than…if we are lucky enough, we get to have kids and experience the beach like children all over again.

What is your beach experience?

2 great picture books about 2 different beach experiences you should read

Inspiration and Investigation

I have started taking Zoe to art museums ever since she was a tiny baby (well, she was never really tiny). I used to carry her with me to so many breathtaking exhibitions, she hardly ever complained. When she grew a little so did her nagging… I started looking for the different family activities in the art museums to keep her interest. It was no longer about what I wanted to see. I have discovered an entire different experience in the art museum. A whole new world had opened up to me and Zoe of course. Art museums will never be the same …the efforts and energy that is invested in the children art education by most museums is incredible. As parents we MUST take advantage of it. Intriguing family rooms, festivals, story time, art hunt etc beyond your imagination.

^{Zoe and me drawing from observation at the Getty Center garden}

^{Zoe is drawing a postcard for Yotam in the Japanese family festival at the Getty Center}

I have asked Zoe today what is it that she likes most about going to an art museum? She answered what took me a while to figure out: “It is the details of the pictures that I like... noticing those details... and also the ideas I get for my drawings from looking at the paintings.” In other words: Inspiration and Investigation, attention to details. How can she be so young (almost 6), and have such clear understanding, I was blown away.
I was certain she would say “the brownie”, I am so happy she didn’t.

what is it that you like about going to art museums?

Art museums are also for children

A monstrous architectural masterpiece, with vast open spaces, saturated with serious looking security guards, stillness, quiet, art work displayed at adult eye level, no touching, no running, no yelling policies. All of the above can make children feel intimidated and parents think twice before they choose to spend time in an art museum with their children; a park or an indoor play structure sounds like a much easier choice. I have compiled a list that will possibly make you feel more at ease about taking your kids to the museum tomorrow. I hope you will.

• Plan your visit in advance, Explore the museum's website to learn about the permanent and special exhibits, hours of operation, accessibility, admission fees and discounts (most museums are FREE to the public at list one day a week), check  for family programs (Hint: Sometimes the websites hide the family programs under the “Education” tab.) 
• Find exhibitions that will appeal to your kids, for example if you have a little dancer at home you may want to show her one of Edgar Degas “Little Dancer” etc.
• Find a book that relates to the art work or artist you plan to see, for example: if it is the”Little Dancer” by Edgar Degas, you may want to read Degas and the Little Dancer by Laurence Anholt prior or after seeing the sculpture.
• On the way to the museum go over museum behavioral rules, ask your kids: “what are things we can and cannot do in the museum?” some of the answers may be: yes looking at the art, no running, yes drawing, no touching, no yelling, yes enjoying the beauty of the art etc…
• Find the information desk and ask, "What do you recommend for families?"
• Ask if the museum has a family activity room, if they do make sure you allow for enough time to explore it.
• Don’t make your kids see art they don’t want to see.
• Let your child determine when it’s time to move on to another artwork.
• Don’t try and see the entire museum at once, you will all most likely be exhausted and overwhelmed. A good idea is to become a member and make short visits regularly.
• Visit the museum often
• Don’t go too often
• Museums have the best book stores, with fantastic kid’s books selection; don’t skip them on the way out, our favorite books were found at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Getty Center.
• Make sure everyone is happy most of the times if not…
• TAKE A BREAK, museums always have great coffee; treat yourself for a cup, and your kids for a cookie. It will boost your energies and spirit and will make the visit an even better experience.
• Try and see the art through the eyes of the children. Listen to them, and you will be blown away.
• The purpose of art is to evoke our thoughts and feelings, therefore there is no wrong or right when you talk about art. We all have a subjective view as to what we see. Don’t be afraid to say what you think, encourage your kids to do the same.
• Don’t think you need to be the expert, if your child asks you a question you don’t know the answer, try and figure it out together, or write the question and try and find the answer later.
• If you are going with younger children try to plan your visit according with their nap time. I usually bring a stroller and spend more time with Zoe (6) while Ori (3) is dreaming about Picasso.
• REMEMBER: a visit to the museum with your kids IS NOT ABOUT YOU, lower your expectation, flow with your kids interests and paste.
• Most importantly ENJOY yourselves.

Art Museums with children

^{Ori performing, the Tel Aviv Art Museum family room}

A couple of weeks ago I took my girls to the Tel Aviv Art Museum, first time for all of us. I heard they had a kids room that I thought would be fun to explore, and indeed it was. We ended up spending about 4 hours in that room playing Picasso.
I don’t remember visiting many art museums when I was a child. I did start going regularly when I was in art school (sounds like a therapy session, doesn’t it?). I was a Massachusetts College of Art student which entitled me of free admissions to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, conveniently located right around the corner (I was reading this out loud with a reminisce of a strong Bostonian accent “KOH-NEH”, I didn’t think I still had in me… ). I used to go when ever I had some time to kill, all by my self, just me and my sketch book. My favorite part was the Greek section, I used to sit down and sketch those little clay goddesses for many quiet minuets.

9 years and 2 kids later, My entire experience of art museum has changed. I still visit them frequently but not so much by my self anymore. If I may say so, it is all about them, those 2 girls of mine that fortunately like going with me and show me the way. I feel very lucky that I can see the art through their eyes.

In celebration of the International Museum Day (may 18th), and just because….I would like to dedicate the next few posts to visiting art museums with children.
I am looking forward to this series of posts, please jump in and add from your experiences visiting art museums with children or without (you too Lindsay…)