From a seek-and-find adventure through the Met’s iconic galleries to a closer look at famous artists’ lives and artworks, DK’s new series is produced in full collaboration with Met specialists, including Emily Blumenthal, Educator in Charge, Teaching & Learning.
What makes these books so special, and what message do we hope readers take away after finishing them? Explore Emily's insights, as well as tips for incorporating art more fully into school and family life.
In your words, what makes these books so special? What message do you hope readers take away after finishing them?
Curiosity and wonder!
The Met + DK books make the stories of art, artists, and museum adventures come alive, right in your lap. I hope young readers see art and museums as being accessible to everyone, especially them.
The Met + DK books make the stories of art, artists, and museum adventures come alive, right in your lap. I hope young readers see art and museums as being accessible to everyone, especially them.
Why is exploring art so important—from your perspective as an educator at The Met—and how do these books help kids make that connection?
The Met + DK books bring art to life, connecting young readers with art, artists, and cultures from around the world and across time. Exploring art allows kids and people of all ages to cultivate an appreciation of differing views, values, and experiences, and to better understand ourselves and the world around us. Through direct experiences with works of art as well as these books, kids and their adults engage their imagination, think critically, and learn together.
How might these books be used as learning tools, whether in the classroom or in a homeschooling environment?
Encourage young learners to explore the books in a group or on their own. Educators and parents might ask: “What are you curious about? What would you like to learn more about? What questions do you have?” and “How might we find out?” Then, dig into kid-friendly resources in the library or online to research the artist, culture, material, and more. (The Met and other museums have great online resources created just for kids and teachers.) Kids can write and illustrate their own stories about a work of art or an artist or take a cue from Stevie’s adventures in Lost in The Museum and create their own art-filled scavenger hunt.
Studying art can sometimes bring up difficult subjects about the artist's history or the work itself. How can adults best guide young readers through these challenging moments?
Art can be a lens into the past, or a response to our current experience, where not everything we see may be comfortable. Stories about artists may also bring up difficult topics about their lives. Talk about the topic in a way that is appropriate for your young reader(s), discussing why the actions, images, or words are upsetting or unjust. If your young reader poses difficult questions, do not be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” Follow up with, “Those are great questions. Let’s find out together.” or, “How might we handle that situation?” Though the moment may be uncomfortable, it can be the beginning of a journey to explore and build a world that is more just and equitable, using art as a starting point.
How can families facilitate art education for their youngest members? (Outside of visiting The Met, of course!)
Art is all around us. Whether you are walking around a museum or your neighborhood, search for colors, lines, shapes, textures, and patterns. Talk about art together – share ideas and talk about what you see, think, and imagine. You can also practice using pictures in books, magazines, or even ones you find on the street. Ask questions such as “What do you see? What do you notice that makes you say that?” and “What else can we find together?” Share your own observations and interpretations, too.
What are some simple ways that kids can be creative in their everyday lives?
Play and explore with materials! Anything can be an art material – from everyday objects like cardboard boxes and buttons, to more traditional materials like paint and clay. Construct a mixed media sculpture using materials you can find around your home, then take it apart and build something new. Practice making marks with different drawing tools, use unconventional objects (i.e., sticks, cotton swabs, straws) to paint, or mix your own colors and create something unique to you. Keep a sketchbook to make drawings or take photographs to record what you see – look around you and zoom in on the details. Most importantly, have fun!