Hundreds of pint-sized visitors spent Monday wandering through Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
The day marked the first "preschool play date" a new program aimed at getting kids comfortable with the museum's collection.
About 200 kids showed up for the free event, which included a musical performance, arts and crafts and a guided tour through the galleries.
Each of the events is centered around a single theme to help the preschoolers understand what they are looking at, says Janelle Redlaczyk, the public programs manager for the museum.
"With this age group you want to introduce concepts that really relate to them and their lives," Redlaczyk says. "Concepts as simple as sound, shape, colors, or animals give them a way to relate to the art."
Danielle West brought three children to the event, and says even her two-year-old can benefit from the experience.
"Nora's not quite ready for understanding all of it," she says. "But yes i think she can appreciate it still, she was saying pretty all over the nature walk."
Redlaczyk agrees.
"If you ever look at art with very young kids it;s kind of amazing what they see," she says. "They're really never too young."
The museum plans to host the kids on a monthly basis, but the next play date is not yet set.
The day marked the first "preschool play date" a new program aimed at getting kids comfortable with the museum's collection.
About 200 kids showed up for the free event, which included a musical performance, arts and crafts and a guided tour through the galleries.
Each of the events is centered around a single theme to help the preschoolers understand what they are looking at, says Janelle Redlaczyk, the public programs manager for the museum.
"With this age group you want to introduce concepts that really relate to them and their lives," Redlaczyk says. "Concepts as simple as sound, shape, colors, or animals give them a way to relate to the art."
Danielle West brought three children to the event, and says even her two-year-old can benefit from the experience.
"Nora's not quite ready for understanding all of it," she says. "But yes i think she can appreciate it still, she was saying pretty all over the nature walk."
Redlaczyk agrees.
"If you ever look at art with very young kids it;s kind of amazing what they see," she says. "They're really never too young."
The museum plans to host the kids on a monthly basis, but the next play date is not yet set.
