6 Tips to Creating a Memorable Museum Tour for Children
Tour guide Chidera Ifechukwu shares on how she gets children to love art.
Education is at the heart of the YSMA
Education is central to our mission at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and we do this through various engaging activities. Tour guide Chidera Ifechukwu gives tours to school children, and here are her 6 tips to making memorable tours.
GalleryOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
#1: Be an art expert
You must be ready to answer every question that the kids throw at you. 'What is this?’, 'Why this?', ‘How did the artist do this?’, ‘Why is he dancing while she is lying on the floor?’ or ‘Why does his face look funny? Your answers should be handy.
Invisible Hands exhibition posterOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
#2: Tell captivating stories
Craft and dramatize a story around your artworks. Storytelling is believed to be one of the greatest assets in catching the interest of children. Storytelling simplifies the narratives behind the artworks and brings it to life in such a way that the artwork arouses a sense of wonder in children.
Untitled (2010) by Kunle AdegborioyeOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
#3: Bring in real life examples
If your words are not simple enough, you’ve lost their attention. What works for an adult could be too much for a child. You must be able to relate the artwork to things and events that they can comprehend.
Untitled (2009) by Dele JegedeYemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University
#4: How does it make you feel?
Don’t get lost in your facts; you’ll end up having noisy children. Renew their wonder at short intervals and you won’t hear a sound from them. Keep them engaged by asking them about themselves from time to time, or about what they’ve loved about the museum.
Transcient Encounters (2008) by Tola WeweOriginal Source: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
#5: Be patient
Patience is your ticket to a happy child. A rolling amount of questions can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to keep to time on a guided tour. Acknowledge their questions, and reassure them that you will attend to their curiosity while you keep to the programme.
#6: After activities
Always have an after-activity for the children, however small it is. The ability of a child to recall even one aspect of the tour could be an accomplishment and the activities give you the opportunity to discover their interests. Crayons and paper work wonders.
