Ask Mary: Ask Mary

The fact that you are willing to learn yourself is a good starting point Don't feel like you have to do everything all at once. Choose a few ideas from the following list, and just get started. Who knows? You may discover new talents and interests of your own that have been dormant all these years! 

Art: Whenever you go to the library, bring home one book about an artist. Don't worry about whether or not you are picking the "right" ones. Find the section on art at the public library (ask a librarian if you don't know where it is), and pick one that has a picture on the front that you like. Some suggestions of good artists might include Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir, or some of the more modern ones, like Thomas Kinkade. Choose a corner of one of your kitchen cabinets and make it your "art center". Start collecting some art materials, like brushes, watercolor or tempera paints, good quality art paper, tissue paper, or, if you are feeling brave, some calligraphy pens and ink, or some oil pastels. Any art supply store can help you. Don't be afraid to ask!!! Take into account such things as the age of your children, and bring them into the equation. Chances are if you walk into an art store with a child who likes the idea of doing art, he or she will find plenty of materials they'd like for you to buy!!! (Note: Art can get expensive. I know! My daughter is an art major right now. Don't feel like you always have to have everything, or get the best quality. A lot of good materials can be purchased at a discount store.) Once you have your art center set up, encourage the children to use it whenever the spirit moves them, but do help them learn to also keep it organized and clean up after themselves when they are old enough to do so. 

Also, watch the arts section of your local paper, especially if you have an art museum in your town. When you see an upcoming show that appeals to you, go for a field trip. Consider having some of your older children take community arts classes, too-- and don't forget your own needs. If you suddenly get the urge to take a pottery class, go for it!! 

Music: Try to get some classical music tapes or records that you can put on quietly during "quiet time" at your house. If your children are still young, they may also like to find music with interesting rhythms and try dancing to it, or simply "moving to music". If you can find "Peter and the Wolf" at your local library or music store, listen to it-- it introduces the instruments of the orchestra. Also, try to go to occasional concerts, but make sure you aren't expecting too much quiet sitting from young children. If you have a piano, allow the children to fool around with it, as long as they are "using their fingers" (instead of, say, pounding legos on the keys), and as long as they can choose times they aren't annoying anyone else too much. If they show interest in learning an instrument, and are still kind of young, consider getting a recorder or tin whistle (wind instruments), or a baritone ukulele, which has the same four strings as a guitar does, so it is a good starter for guitar later on. (This is different than the usual tenor ukulele. Again, don't be afraid to ask for help from people who know something about music!) If the kids want to learn a few notes, and you know very little about music yourself, I'd suggest getting some kind of a keyboard (if you don't actually have a piano), and getting yourself a book called something like, "Piano for older beginners". These can be purchased at any music store, and are usually self-teaching. Once you know a little yourself, get them the children's version of a beginning piano course. Learning notes is easiest, in my opinion, when you do it first on a piano. Later the knowledge can be transferred to any other instrument or voice. Also, if they like to sing, consider getting them into a church or community choir. 

Drama: If they are young, start by gathering together some costume materials. Every kid likes to dress up once in awhile, and fool around-- If you can help them set up a stage somewhere in the house, with a sheet as the curtain, and make some basic scenery, most kids will be more than willing and able to make up their own plays. If they need a little help, start by narrating a story for them while they act it out. Start with things like fables and fairy tales, or old stories that they are very familiar with. (Things like Little Red Riding Hood, or the Three Little Pigs). While you read or tell the story, have them do the actions. Another introduction to drama is to watch old musicals. Some of our favorites for the younger ones were "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "Oliver," and "Newsies". Try to get ones with good dance sequences. As they get a little older, other good ones are "Fiddler on the Roof", "West Side Story," "My Fair Lady", and "Camelot". Also consider going to see plays or musicals at area theatres, or watching for auditions for children's parts in community theatres. 

As you get into the arts, consider using the Charlotte Mason technique of having an artist or a composer of the month-- use bulletin boards, learning centers, library books, tapes or cds, or whatever you can think of to help awaken the kid's interest in these subjects. Again, don't feel like you have to do this all at once! Just get started a little, and let the children's own interests take the lead a little. The next thing you know, you will be the recognized arts expert in your home school group!