March, 2017; Madrid, Spain
Dan & Betsy, 4 year old son, 2 year old daughter
A few weeks ago we discussed the many advantages of free museum days for families, particularly those getting ready for overseas travel. Whether in the hometown museum or visiting one abroad, we came across a fun little trick for helping kids engage with a museum.
It was at the end of a long day and could have very well been a cautionary tale than a museum success. We got greedy and pushed too much but it turned out ok (this time).
First, the cautionary tale
We just wrapped up our time in Madrid by an encore round of rowing in the lake at Retiro Park and were beginning the 15 minute walk back to the apartment so we could pack everything up and catch an early morning train to Sevilla, our next home base. The Thyssen museum just happened to be on our way home. It just happened to be closing in 40 minutes. We just happen to have “paid” for our tickets by getting the Paseo de Arte pass earlier in the week. Betsy went along. Let’s try it.
After five minutes of walking, our 4 year old asked “dad, can you carry me?” Historically this has more often meant “I have to go to the bathroom. Now.” than “I’m tired.” It was the former.
Dan is now carrying our oldest as fast as he can, sprinting, crosswalk to crosswalk, in a battle of more serious consequences than a museum closing time. Far enough ahead of Betsy to warrant a text message (“We’re going for the Thyssen, meet us at the ticket office!!”), and after another sprint the the underground labyrinth, the four year old made it just in time. He’s happy as a clam. Dan is sweating like a pig.
We get to the ticket office; “we close in 30 minutes, sir.” Okay, a quick walk-through. “Please check all bags.” Expletives. Will we ever get in this place?
Parenting redemption
Finally we are walking up the stairs to the galleries. The place is gorgeous. Minor works by major artists and we have the place nearly to ourselves. The four year old shows me his “magazine.” It’s a museum brochure. It’s in Catalan. However, it does have a great map and had a couple dozen thumbnail images highlighting major works. Somehow the idea just hit us. We showed the four year old the pictures and explained that he was in charge of finding as many as he could and that when he finds one he needs to tell us so we can “make sure” he’s right.
Kids that young may not be ready for abstract thought like the representational value of artwork but they can memorize the heck out of some tiny pictures and go hunting for the real ones. He must’ve found half of them in the 20 minutes we walked around the galleries. And while he was looking we got to check out paintings by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Gogh, Manet, Degas, Picasso, Klee, Cezanne, and a bunch other other really great pictures.
But the big success was finding a small impromptu access point for the kids to find meaning in what we were doing and feel confident enough to contribute to the experience.
Older kid possibilities:
- 7+ – read the museum guide upon arrival (in Catalan or not), watch Smarthistory and other short video clips of marquee works beforehand so they have some background to what they will see
- 10+ – same as above, add that they can choose a painting to “be in charge of” and will need to explain what it’s about and what they like/dislike about it
- you might also let them “drive” the audio guide and share with the family
- 13+ – same as above, add some art-historian observation skills; ask them…
- What do you see in this painting? (“a lady sitting on a chair?”)
- What do you think this painting is about? (“I think she’s waiting for her boyfriend.”)
- Use features of painting to explain your answer. (“She’s reading a letter and her faces looks hopeful…)
Make up your own questions. The conversation that ensues is the point. Not whether or not the specific facts or details.
Being able to be “not uncomfortable” in a museum is a huge win for any family. “Let’s look around and see what we see…” isn’t too far from “ok people, we are after the Caravaggios and this Dürer, let’s go!”
Talk soon,
Dan & Betsy
Family Conversation topic: Ask the kids what level of engagement they would prefer at a museum: see as much as possible, top works only, audio guide, guided tour? Have them explain the reasons for an against each level.