An artistic adventure is an outing devoted to art appreciation. When you visit a museum or look at local architecture, you prepare children with skills they need for life. Encouraging analysis of what they see helps develop their imagination, critical-thinking skills and powers of observation. And best of all, when you do all of that, you also help build your child's literacy skills.

Take your children on an artistic adventure and try "reading" the works of art together. Children will develop reading-related skills and learn about the artist, as well as about the people, places and time period depicted in the artwork at the same time.

Here are some tips on how to use art to build literacy:

• When looking at a painting, talk descriptively about what the artist created.
  
  
• Discuss the people, places and things in the work of art.
  
  
• Ask what is happening or what is depicted in the work of art.
  
  
• Discuss what the child likes or dislikes about what she sees.
  
  
• Ask how the work of art makes her feel or what it reminds her of.
  
  
• Make comparisons and connections between the art and the child's experiences, encouraging a personal connection to the art.
  
  
• Compare different works of art, helping children develop an appreciation of the styles, techniques or tools the artists used to create their work.
  
  
• Take advantage of children's programs at local museums. These events are often free.
  
  
• Keep art supplies accessible. Cover the table and floor with newspapers so the children can make a worry-free mess. Provide a variety of art supplies such as paper bags, cardboard boxes, egg cartons and empty cardboard rolls.

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