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
[EA1] Bonding with Baby
Mon, Jan 13
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Notice the interaction between parents and children in the VMFA collection. Along the way, sing, play, and create together with your baby.
[EA2] Wonderful Colorful You
Mon, Jan 27
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 vibrant paintings and paint with bright colors while gaining an understanding of how your baby’s vision develops.
[EA3] Babies in Motion
Mon, Feb 10
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Explore motion and motor development through action-filled paintings, simple parent-and-baby yoga poses, and appealing art materials.
[EA4] Musical Mini-Me
Mon, Feb 24
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Babies will enjoy bouncing to the beat while discovering musically themed works of art.
[EA5] Spring Animals
Mon, Mar 10
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 singing animal songs as you search the galleries for creatures and create animal-inspired art in the studio.
[EA6] My Face, Your Face
Mon, Mar 24
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Delight in portraits and facial expressions through songs and games, and watch your baby’s enthusiastic responses .
[EA7] Sensational Me
Mon, Apr 14
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per child/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Discuss your baby’s developing senses while participating in a sensory-focused tour, story time, and art project.
[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.
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.
