Article Why Arts-Friendly Schools Matter: Pre-K to Second Grade
How parents can support their Pre-K to second graders and the arts in school
Parent/Caregiver Involvement
Share these resources to help engage parents and caregivers in their students' arts education.
Lesson Content
Article How the Arts Build Academic and Social Skills: Grades 3 to 5
Discover how parents can support their third to fifth graders and the arts in school
Article Making Sure Your School Is Arts-Friendly: Grades 6 to 8
Why parents should support their sixth to eighth graders and the arts in school
Article Arts Education Is a Gateway to Your Child’s Future: High School
How parents can support their high school child and the arts in school
Article It’s Never Too Early to Enjoy the Arts: Pre-K to Second Grade
Is your child interested in the arts? Here's how parents can support their young kids' interests at home
Article How Arts Education Develops Lifelong Learners: Grades 3 to 5
How parents can support their third to fifth graders and the arts at home
Article How the Arts Teach Life Skills: Grades 6 to 8
How parents can support their sixth to eighth graders and the arts at home
Article How the Arts Teach the Tools for Success: High School
Learn ways that parents can support their high school child and the arts at home
Article Supporting Your Young Artist: Intrepid Explorers and Playful Creators
Tips for parents to encourage and engage 4–6 year-olds in the arts
Article Supporting Your Young Artist: Industrious Collaborators
Tips for parents to encourage and engage 7–9 year-olds in the arts
Article Supporting Your Young Artist: Self-Discovery, Self-Expression
Tips for parents to encourage and engage 10-12 year-olds in the arts
Article Supporting Your Young Artist: Adolescent Artists, Searching for Self
Tips for parents to encourage and engage teens in the arts.
Article Supporting Your Young Artist: Young Adult Artists, Living an Artistic Life
Tips for parents to encourage college students in the arts
Article “I Can't! I Won't! I Don't!”
What do you do with the creativity killers that may be lurking in your house?
Article A Parents’ Field Guide to Ballet
Everything you need to know so you're good to go to the ballet!
Article A Parents’ Field Guide to Museums
Everything you need to know so you're good to go to a museum!
Article A Parents’ Field Guide to the Symphony
The basics for a harmonious outing
Article A Script to Play With
How playing with 'intentions' changes the a scene
Article Acting & Storytelling
Family-friendly tips for acting out amazing stories
Article Advice for First-Time Theater Goers
Tips for making the most of a family visit to the theater
Article Arts Education and the Business Community
Skills learned through arts education, such as creativity and innovation, are good for business
Article Best Supporting Cast
Ways you can work with your child's theater educator to provide a creative learning environment
Article Build a Story
How to use building blocks of storytelling with your kids
Article Child's Play or Real Ambition?
How to connect your child with the performing arts
Article Coast to Coast: Arts Places and Spaces
Need to round out your child’s arts education? Check out these 15 museums, theaters, and more that will help you cultivate a strong love for the arts in your kids
Article Finding Science in the Arts
Four arts-related science fair projects for your child to consider
Article Five Artsy Activities for the Car and Grocery
Creative ways to keep things interesting
Article For the Love of Comedy
Kids love to joke around, but if your kid is especially hilarious, a career in comedy could be in her future. These four tips will make sure she gets plenty of laughs along the way
Article Getting and Keeping Your Little One’s Attention
If your preschooler's short attention span makes arts-related outings tricky, read on for four expert tips that will prevent meltdowns and make for an easy and enjoyable excursion
Article Giving Feedback: Food for Thought for Parents
How can parents talk with and engage with their kids about their creative work? Here are seven suggestions to get you started
Article Going to the Principal’s Office
Learn how to reach out to school principals to gain their support of arts education programs
Article Good Moves for Young Dancers
Expert tips for preventing—and treating—injuries in young dancers
Article Help! My Child Wants to Be an Artist
Why you shouldn't worry when your child wants to be a professional artist
Article Home, Creative Home
Inspire your child to be more engaged in the arts by turning sections of your home into creative spaces
Article How Parents Can Support Arts Education
Making contacts and knowing the facts will help parents support the arts programs in their schools
Article In Harmony
Doing your part to build a great school music program
Article Keeping Kids Dancing
Help make community connections to bring dance to your child's classroom
Article Know the Score
Talk to your child’s music educator; find out what to do to improve the school's music program
Article Lend a Helping Hand: Volunteering in Arts Classrooms
Learn how to be an effective and successful volunteer in an arts classroom. Get tips from one visual art specialist who works with dozens of volunteers a year
Article Make Music Matter in Your Home
Looking to sign your child up for music classes? These seven tips will make sure she starts off her musical career on the right note
Article Make Time: The Art and Science of Practice
Scientific studies prove the value of practicing music. Here are suggestions of how to make practice time more pleasurable
Article Making Art a Part of Your Teen's Life
Tips for making art museums a teen-friendly experience
Article Performing Under Pressure
Helping your child through the thrills (and chills) of musical competitions
Article Private Lessons
The benefits of private music lessons go beyond the additional instruction your child receives
Article Raising “Art Smart” Students in the 21st Century
So, what are 21st century skills exactly? Why do they matter to “art smart” parents and how do we help our kids?
Article Scare Away Stage Fright
How to help kids let go of performance fears
Article Sorting Out College Confusion for the Arts Student
Six smart suggestions to help clarify the arts school admissions process
Article Start the Conversation about Arts Education
Creating shared values and mutual understanding while correcting misconceptions can help communities find greater acceptance and success in funding arts education
Article Summer Boredom Busters
Tap into your child's creative side with these suggestions for arts-related summer activities and camps
Article Surviving Valentine's Day
Creative thinking beyond hearts and flowers
Article Take a Leading Role in Your Child’s Education
Six advocacy tips you can use to be involved in your child's arts education
Article Taking Care of Your Vocal Athlete
A resource for parents of young singers with a guide to choosing the right teacher
Article Taking the Kids to Their First Live Show
Family-friendly tips for preparing children for live performing arts events
Article The Family That Sings Together
A community sing-along guide for families with some tips on singing Handel's Messiah
Article The Many Gifts of Music
Research shows that making music exercises the brain in ways science is only beginning to understand
Article The Myth of the Starving Artist
Your child wants to pursue the arts? Don't worry. A new study shows the success and happiness of arts alumni
Article ¡Vamos a Celebrar!
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage through the arts
Article What the Arts Can Do for Your Child
Does your child need a boost of self-esteem? Learn how children can gain self-esteem through a study of the arts
Article When the Show Biz Bug Bites
A resource for parents of young singers with a guide to choosing the right teacher
Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning
Eric Friedman
Director, Digital Learning
Kenny Neal
Manager, Digital Education Resources
Tiffany A. Bryant
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement
JoDee Scissors
Content Specialist, Digital Learning
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Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.