From Deseret News archives:
Adults get tips on turning children toward arts
Children do not generally gravitate toward opera or sculpture by themselves. Parents and grandparents usually introduce them to the arts. And they can start when the children are babies, said Kaye Terry Hanson, a business professor who holds a doctorate degree in theater.
"We shouldn't push it upon them," she said.
Hanson used examples from her own family life as she spoke recently to about 35 parents and members of the community at the American Heritage School, a private grade school that emphasizes LDS Church teachings. The school's Family Education Center hosts lectures on the second Friday of each month.
"I began playing classical music to my children when they were babies," she said.
Hanson said there are numerous ways children can be guided toward an appreciation of the arts. Among her suggestions was for parents to download classical music into their children's iPods and for grandparents to consider buying music lessons for their grandchildren on gift-giving occasions such as birthdays or Christmas.
"My friend said, 'Why don't we have them play a game?' " Hanson said.
They invented a scavenger hunt style game, with a list of famous paintings that the children were supposed to find during the visit. It gave the adults two hours to look at the world-famous art with minimal interruptions. And the children had an opportunity to identify the pieces for themselves.
Parents can teach art appreciation simply by purchasing an art book, Hanson said. She suggested they page through the book with their children and discuss the paintings, ask children to identify objects in the paintings as well as which paintings are their favorites and why.
Audience member Bennett Greene, who lives near the school, agreed.
"I think there's a story behind the art," he said.
Bennett believes children will appreciate and understand art better if they can learn about the artist, why he created the art or if there is a story behind the piece such as it being lost for centuries.
Mitch Huhem, whose children attend the school, said that children become interested in theater if the family decides together what they enjoy. His family likes comedies, especially "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The family has traveled around the United States and watched a dozen different performances of the musical.
"Every one was different," he said. "Every one made us laugh."
E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com
Comments
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- Am. Fork band hopes for nationals 1:10 a.m.
- Healthy Toews leads Blackhawks 1:04 a.m.
- Sandy may give $10K to bowl game 12:45 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!


You can be the first to comment on this story.