Exposing children to art from a young age develops cognitive and verbal skills, arguably good things. But it may be daunting to enter a museum with kids: they may be easily bored, they probably won’t resist long, and you may not be sure what to do to help them approach the works.

Here are just a few of my tips to help your child interact with the art in the many museums you will surely visit during your trip to Tuscany. Tuscany is home to the Uffizi as well as to numerous very valid small museums. These small, often local museums (like the museo dell’opera del duomo in Prato for example) tend to be a more easily digestible size for a child.

1) Watch your child! what is he/she interested in looking at? Rather than picking out the masterpiece of art history that you know everyone should learn about, follow your kid’s eyes. He or she may be more interested in another piece (or in some lint on the ground…). If the child is NOT looking at the art, now’s the time to try to direct his or her attention to the wall, leading perhaps to the pieces you wish to discuss.

2) Ask for a reaction: Depending on age, your child may have more or less sophisticated reactions to art, but from an early age should be able to express like and dislike. Ask questions such as: do you like this painting? is it scary? is that a pretty colour? Sometimes, childrens’ answers will naturally lead you to discuss the work.

3) Pick pieces with people in them – they are easier to discuss.

4) Make it relevant: Often, ideas or things represented in art are still part of our life today. A toddler will recognize another toddler (real or painted), point, and say “baby”. Objects and people in Renaissance paintings are sometimes recognizable as objects in our own homes, making for good conversation – how is that bed different from yours? Look, that lady is sewing just like your grandma does!