A virtual pre-visit, or we like the songs we already know

We all like what we know, and children are no different, which is why before we go to an exhibition with a child, it’s worth taking a sneak peek at it online. It may be a good idea to choose a favourite work, or a few, so you can ‘hunt’ for them at the museum. You can print out a ‘wanted poster’ with an image of the work. The more the child learns about the subject of the search before the exhibition, the more they will enjoy seeing it.

Self-censoring, or sightseeing under control

Some exhibitions may include works that the parents believe are unsuitable for children’s eyes. According to psychologists, there is nothing wrong with nudity itself, but a child may be frightened if the artist approaches the body in a brutal way (mutilates it, subjects it to ‘strange’ practices). A child perceives the world literally: art and reality are the same for them. A parent’s violent reaction may also be harmful: to avoid situations like this, check to see if you find all the exhibits acceptable. Explain to your child that artists can use different means to provoke the viewers’ emotions, but that you prefer that they do not see this particular work.

Enthusiasm, or your mood will also ‘infect’ your child

A child learns everything by observing adults: if a visit to a museum is a boring and tiresome chore for the parent, the child will feel the same way. If you are withdrawn, lost or in a bad mood — your child will receive the message that this experience is unpleasant

and unnecessary. But if you talk about how excited you are about the visit several days earlier, and you’re brimming with enthusiasm when you get there, the child will consider the encounter with art to be something fascinating.

Don’t overdo it, or the maximum sightseeing time and free admission days

The worst thing you can do is to drag a visit out past your child’s abilities. As soon as you feel tired, don’t wait for the crisis. Take an immediate break in the museum café or just leave with your child — you don’t have to see everything during one visit. Take care of your home finances and choose free admission days. All museums have one such day per week, at Zachęta, it’s Thursday.

Guided tours, or put yourself in professional hands

Most museums and galleries organise special tours and workshops for kids: with a curator, artist, educator or guide. It’s worthwhile taking advantage of them and asking questions. This is the only opportunity to get to know the artist and find out about things you won’t hear about otherwise.

Questions are more important than answers

All art education specialists stress the importance of asking questions and encouraging children to ask them. Art is not maths, there is more than one correct answer to every question and many points of view. You don’t need to know all the answers and sometimes there is no answer.

Commission documentation, give them control

Sometimes works of art seen through the camera lens can seem more attractive. Ask your child to document the exhibition, and instead of a lumbering victim, you will have a professional documentary maker next to you. After coming home, your child can go back to the photos, so that they will still have contact with art. Let a younger child take care of the tickets and decide on the order of the tour. You can also mark the sightseeing route on a map or exhibition plan.

Setting out tasks, or playing with details

Instead of telling the child, ‘now look at the pictures’, you can give them tasks, such as asking them to find two blue objects, a painting with digits, or three dogs in one picture. A more advanced version of this game involves photographing the detail of the artwork that the child is supposed to find. You can switch roles: the child takes a photo of the detail and the parent has to find it.

Don’t judge

Instead of assigning values: this is pretty or ugly, analyse the matter of the work with your child, the techniques and colours used, or the idea they had.

Don’t draw with your child

Don’t help your child, don’t correct them, don’t do it better.

Don’t give advice

When the child decides their work is finished, don’t suggest any additions or changes. It’s important they feel that what they’ve created is enough, even if it’s just two lines.

Show it off proudly

Hand the finished works on the walls or on the fridge, preferably at your child’s eyelevel so they can enjoy them. This way, your child will feel that their works are important.

Ensure safety

If your child wants you to be present in class, stay, even if the teacher says you can go. Children need a sense of security to be able to create.

Accept refusal

If your child doesn’t feel like being creating at this moment, let them use the class in their own way. If they want to spend the whole class sitting under the table, accept their choice.

Don’t make comparisons

Remember that the sun doesn’t have to be yellow and grass doesn’t have to be green — let your child interpret reality in their own way.

^{Thank you to Zofia Dubowska, head of the Zachęta education department, and psychologist Ula Malko, for help in creating these guidelines.}

Ewa Solarz