Article: A Guide to Kids & Culture

Article taken from iVillage

Can They Handle It?

There’s no doubt about it—exposing kids to performing arts and cultural events like museums, plays and musical performances will help them become well-rounded adults. But before you buy the tickets, ask yourself, “Are they ready?” See what skills they’ll need to cope in these very grown-up situations, and if you determine they’re not quite ready, we’ll offer some alternatives.

—Michele Bloomquist

At the Movie Theater

Your child should be able to:

• Sit still for the duration of the movie
• Understand not to talk or make noise
• Eat and drink refreshments quietly
• Be comfortable in the dark

Alternative: Start with a matinee of a children’s movie, where other parents are more likely to understand if your child acts up. Some movie theaters also have “crying rooms” specifically for parents with young children.

The Ballet

Your child should be able to:

• Sit comfortably while dressed appropriately (no jeans)
• Suck on a throat lozenge or candy if they feel the urge to cough
• Sit quietly and enjoy the performance
• Stay seated for the duration of the ballet
• Understand only to clap when others clap
• Know not to push or shove when arriving or leaving the crowded theater

Alternative: Consider attending an amateur performance put on by a local ballet school if your tot isn’t quite ready for a professional ballet. Watch the ballet on DVD before going or explain the storyline before you go.

A Day at the Museum

Your child should be able to:

• Understand and follow the rules posted at the door or on brochures (even if you have to read it to him)
• Refrain from eating or drinking while inside
• Not run, push or roughhouse in the museum
• Not touch items on display
• Avoid talking, whistling, singing, laughing and humming loudly or making other excessive noise
• Not interrupt if curators are giving a tour, and know to raise his hand if he has a question

Alternative: Many cities have children’s museums that feature child-friendly displays and allow children to touch, feel and explore.

Sporting Event

Your child should be able to:

• Stay seated to avoid disturbing others by repeated coming and going during the event
• Wait until a break in the action to go to the restroom or concession stand
• Not cut in line
• Understand not to push or shove in crowded areas
• Keep toys or other objects to themselves
• Not wander around the arena during the game
• Avoid making obnoxious comments or heckling

Alternative: Watch a kid’s sporting event together with some popcorn and soda and share the joy of the game.

Concerts

Your child should be able to:

• Sit comfortably while dressed appropriately (no jeans at more formal events)
• Stay seated during the entire performance, if necessary
• Avoid talking or making noise, if necessary
• Wait his or her turn in line
• Avoid pushing or shoving in crowds
• Enjoy the music without drawing attention to him or herself
• Clap only when appropriate by watching for signals from the conductor or the audience

Alternative: Attend a local high-school or amateur production.

Plays and Musicals

Your child should be able to:

• Stay seated for the entire performance without fidgeting
• Listen carefully to the dialog or music
• Refrain from talking
• Hold applause for an appropriate time
• Avoid pushing or shoving in crowds
• Wait his or her turn in line

Alternative: Attend a local high school or amateur production. Explain the plot or story before you go.

An Author Reading

Your child should be able to:

• Sit quietly and listen throughout the reading
• Have read or heard you describe the author’s work
• Honor any requests of the speaker (like not taking photographs)
• Hold applause for an appropriate time, if at all
• Not attract attention to him or herself during the reading

Alternative: Attend library story times or other low-pressure book reading events.

Exhibits

Your child should be able to:

• Understand and observe rules posted at the door or on brochures (even if you have to read it to her)
• Listen to a guide without interrupting
• Refrain from touching displays
• Avoid running, jumping or roughhousing
• Wait his or her turn in line
• Refrain from any more than minimal talking or noise-making

Alternative: Attend a children’s exhibit where rules are more lax and there are likely to be interactive displays.