Thanks for posting this – I often eavesdrop on school groups at museums for refreshing perspectives on what we are all looking at and experiencing. It’s amazing what associations and insights are made by children – largely due to their expansive imaginations, and also testament to the freedom that comes from not trying to impress anyone.

As the director of a gallery I am always encouraging parents to bring their children in to see shows. Let’s hope many parents share your attitude and are helping their children stay open to new sights.

No matter what the content of the exhibit, expanding one’s horizons through sight and sound is valuable. We never know the impact these experinces have on young minds.

I believe it is a responsibility to expose our young people to new material both audio and visual. It is an experience and a resposibiltiy I gladly accept.

In Karen Satzman’s example, the nude also exposes the viewer to the possibility that the cultural norms in middle class Southern California aren’t universal or static for all of time. A trip to LACMA can be eye opening and mind expanding in the same way a trip to Europe can, and far less expensive!

Another approach would be to ask why they think the artist made the work in that particular way. Sometimes you find out it’s not the nudity that makes them giggle, but the way the swan wrapped around her body makes her look like Björk.

I’ve also seen kids understand conceptual pieces much faster than their parents – fun listening…