Art is a quintessential part of our childhood; it’s one of the first ways we express our imagination, emotion, and creativity.
Some kids may outgrow their artist phase before they even reach primary school, but others make it a part of their identity.
As a parent, you may have a little Picasso on your hands.
Your young one may be churning out masterpiece after masterpiece; there’s probably no space on the fridge left.
Granted, some parents may favour the likes of say, mathematics or science, over art. In such cases, they may not place much emphasis on arts for their kids.
But even if they may not pursue a career in the creative arts in the future, there is still many benefits to letting them express their creativity through art. And here’s how to do so.
How to Encourage Your Child’s Artistic Streak
Ask Them Questions
The first part about commenting on a child’s artwork is to not assume what it is.
Because let’s be honest, some children’s artwork can be a little more ‘abstract’.
They may hand you a very rough drawing of a green blob and tell you that it’s a frog.
There may not be much discussion you can elicit from such an artwork.
But if you and your child are extraordinarily verbose, you may very well carry on a conversation about a drawing of frog that isn’t a frog for hours.
It all depends on the person at the end of the day.
But even if you’re not naturally talkative as a person, acknowledge their artwork, even if you may not understand it.
Emphasise Process Over Product
Instead of just saying ‘Good job’ or ‘It looks amazing, sweetie’, say something like ‘I love the colours you use!’ or ‘Those are really interesting shapes’.
It’s important that you notice and mention any small detail in your child’s work. This shows that you’re paying attention to what they do.
You can also compliment on their technique and their creative decisions.
Your child may not necessarily know how to answer. But at the very least it will get them thinking more consciously about how their draw and paint.
It may even improve their process overtime.
Some children express themselves through art instinctively, there is very little rhyme or reason.
Don’t Correct Or Fix Their Artwork
Sometimes we adults can be a bit of a perfectionist. But children’s artwork is rarely neat and tidy.
So, when you wish to comment on what they should improve on, hold back. Just appreciate the artwork for what it is.
Just like how you should emphasise your child’s creative process over their artistic product, you should also let them find their own style.
Sometimes a child simply wishes to create, express or simply pass the time.
They may not necessarily care about how beautiful, or lifelike or accurate their artistic renditions are to their real-life counterparts.
They may not care about symbolism or juxtaposition or lighting.
However, children do have an incredible capacity for creativity.
So, that’s something you should definitely foster.
Encourage Them In Other Ways
If your child really loves art, and shows extraordinary artistic talents, it may not be such a bad idea to give them a nudge.
Buy them different art tools (coloured pencils, crayon, watercolour, acrylic, crayon, etc.).
Let them experiment with other mediums and techniques.
Take them to art supply stores, but only if you can afford a significant spending spree. Some children can be quite oblivious to price tags.
Another thing you can do is take them free art galleries or art exhibitions.
Some places even have beautiful urban graffiti that is guaranteed to get your child’s creative juices flowing.
Even if they outgrow their artist phase, you’re still bringing beauty and wonder into their childhood.
Encouraging Your Child’s Artistic Talents
Almost every child experiences art in some way as they grow up, even in small and often overlooked ways.
They learn about lines and colours and shapes far sooner than they do mathematical equations or language.
So, you could say that it is almost a rite of passage for us.
Making art also offers numerous benefits to the mental and physical development of children.
Drawing and painting promotes neural connections, enhances problem-solving, stimulates creativity, encourages writing, and even helps develop fine motor skills.
It is simply more than just about playing or having fun—although there is nothing wrong with either.
There are significant developmental advantages that a child experiences when making art.
And encouraging them to hone their artistic skills at a young age may give your kids the edge they need to succeed in life.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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