Youth Studio » Early Childhood Art Classes » Artsy Infants
Ages 3–14 months, accompanied by an adult
It’s never too early to introduce your child to art. This innovative program engages both baby and caregiver through singing and movement activities, in-depth discussions about works of art in VMFA’s collection, and baby-safe art projects.
What to Know Before Coming to Class
Note: Classes are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another class. Be sure to mark your calendars.
ARTSY INFANTS: At the Museum
Ages 3–14 months, accompanied by an adult
Select Mondays, 10:30–11:30 am
Art Education Center
Enrollment limit: 12 infants
Advance registration required
[EA8] This Little Light of Mine
Mon, Apr 28
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Catch your baby’s eye with light-filled works of art, shimmering art materials, and interesting gallery spaces.
[EA9] Nature Babies
Mon, May 5
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Spend time in the Sculpture Garden, create your own nature-inspired work of art.
[EA1] Wonderful, Colorful You
Mon,Jun 9
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult |Pause before vibrant paintings in the galleries and paint with bright colors while exploring your baby’s visual capacity in this color-focused class.
[EA2] Activate and Create
Mon, Jun 23
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Let’s move and groove as we explore motion and motor development with action-filled paintings, simple parent-and-baby yoga poses, and engaging art materials.
[EA3] My Face, Your Face
Mon, Jul 7
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | View portraits and explore facial expressions while viewing Frida: Beyond the Myth. Watch your baby’s enthusiastic responses as we explore mirrors and music along the way.
[EA4] Hearts and Happiness
Mon, Jul 21
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Spend time in the galleries exploring social emotional themes of bonding in works of art in VMFA’s collection. Along the way, sing, snuggle, and create together.
[EA5] Musical Mini-Me
Mon,Aug 4
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Tap a tempo, feel the beat, clap your hands, and stomp your feet! Venture into the galleries to find instruments and create tempo-related art projects.
[EA6] Splish, Splash, Clap!
Mon, Aug 18
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Enjoy a sensational class filled with water play, seascapes, and water-inspired art materials.
ARTSY INFANTS: At Home
Helpful tips and suggestions for activities to do, and VMFA objects to observe, at home with your baby.
Babies love COLORS!
As infants’ vision develops, they are increasingly attracted to bright, bold colors and works of art with contrast. Color helps us spark memories and influences our emotions.
HERE are a few colorful works of art at VMFA.
Explore colors with your fingers!
Babies can still paint even if they aren’t taking a class in VMFA’s Art Education Center Studios!
Follow the recipe below to make a baby-safe paint and let your infant enjoy a fun sensory experience.
Paint recipe:
1 tbs sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 heaping tbs corn starch
1 cup water
Food coloring
Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine the dry ingredients and mix together.
Add the cup of water and stir.
On medium heat, warm and stir as mixture thickens.
Pour into small containers and add various colors of food coloring.
Babies love FACES!
Babies recognize faces long before they recognize other objects. Playing with your baby and imitating their facial expressions benefits their cognitive and social-emotional development.
HERE are a few of our favorite portraits at VMFA.
Babies love MUSIC!
Lap bounces stimulate your baby’s heightened vestibular sense and prepares them for walking, running, dancing, and keeping a beat later on in life. Here is a great article, from Kindermusik (a favorite music program of ours), about why music is important for infants.
HERE are a few of our favorite musical objects from VMFA’s collection.
