7 Arts Tips for Parents
Many parents haven't a clue what to do for their creative children. There is plenty to do, but parents don't have to know much about art to encourage their child's creativity. Most of what children will learn will be learned on their own. Children just need that spark to get them going. You can supply the spark. There are many things you can do to teach and encourage your young children to use their creativity and talent.
Encourage Their Curiosity
Kids are naturally curious. Children know instinctively to ask questions. Children often ask better questions than adults. Listen and build on their curiosity. Continue to inspire their imagination with simple questions, while encouraging them to think of the answers or solutions. Ask your child to imagine and wonder, “What it?” “What if you could have a dinosaur as a pet?” “What if we took a vacation on another planet?”
Weave Creativity
Creativity can happen anywhere. Use common everyday experiences on teach creativity – in the car, on a walk or when you’re cooking together. Bring crayons and paper along when you go out to eat. Encourage your children to draw a story about a restaurant on Mars and share it while you’re waiting.
Build Their Confidence
When children are encouraged to look at things in many ways and believe in their ideas, it gives them the confidence to express what they’re thinking. Encourage your children to take the lead in coming up with new ideas. If they ask you to “make it for them,” reply that you’d love to see what they create. Children’s fresh and unique styles should be valued. Use any moment as a teachable opportunity to stretch your child’s thinking and encourage their creative expression. Support your child’s interests. Stretch what they know or know how to do.
Art Sparks Communication
Art helps children communicate their ideas. Children’s drawings are their first written communication years before they can read or write. Art opens the window into what your children are thinking and feeling. Talk about what you observe in your children’s art as they draw and paint. Let your child tell you the story of their art. “Tell me about your drawing?” is a perfect question to spark conversation.
Participate With Your Child's Art Interest
Be encouraging by watching your child work. Try to stay interested by asking questions about what your child is creating. You can even sneak-in some criticism: For instance, on a drawing project, if your young child is not utilizing the whole sheet of paper, have them expand their composition by asking questions about what might complete the scene. “Is Mommy standing inside or outside?” “How can you draw Mommy inside?” And if they want help, then draw a quick sketch (even if it's bad) on a separate piece of paper. Since your child learns visually, this will probably more effectively communicate your idea than a verbal description. Show your child some techniques you remember from growing up. In drawing, using the technique of overlapping objects to show depth is very important. The sooner children can learn to draw overlapping shapes, the easier more sophisticated forms of drawing will be for them. No matter what the subject, just encourage your child to complete what might be missing. It won’t discourage him/her if you show that you’re interested in what he or she is portraying by requesting to see more!
Keep Working Materials Readily Available
Have lots of paper available on which to draw. A regular #2 pencil is used by many professional artists today. You may, however, need to have plenty of erasers available, since the one on the end of that new #2 pencil probably will not last but about an hour! A good pencil sharpener, high-quality markers, crayons, colored pencils, and watercolor trays all work just fine on that scrap paper you might bring home from work.
Young Sculptors and Architects
If your child doesn't like to draw or paint, that doesn't mean he or she doesn't have artistic talent. They may be creative in three-dimensional media. Have air-matured clay (or even play-dough) around for forming wonderful creatures. Allow the child to play with erector sets, "Lincoln Logs", "Egos" or simple blocks of wood to create structures. If you're concerned about pickup for these often-messy play construction toys, try dedicating a small table or a hard-surfaced corner of the room to be used just for sculpture. Take pictures of your child's constructions-especially if they're made with these toys or wood blocks. This action not only will show them that you're interested in what they're doing, but the record of past projects will allow them to expand upon what they already achieved for the next time.
Kids are naturally curious. Children know instinctively to ask questions. Children often ask better questions than adults. Listen and build on their curiosity. Continue to inspire their imagination with simple questions, while encouraging them to think of the answers or solutions. Ask your child to imagine and wonder, “What it?” “What if you could have a dinosaur as a pet?” “What if we took a vacation on another planet?”
Weave Creativity
Creativity can happen anywhere. Use common everyday experiences on teach creativity – in the car, on a walk or when you’re cooking together. Bring crayons and paper along when you go out to eat. Encourage your children to draw a story about a restaurant on Mars and share it while you’re waiting.
Build Their Confidence
When children are encouraged to look at things in many ways and believe in their ideas, it gives them the confidence to express what they’re thinking. Encourage your children to take the lead in coming up with new ideas. If they ask you to “make it for them,” reply that you’d love to see what they create. Children’s fresh and unique styles should be valued. Use any moment as a teachable opportunity to stretch your child’s thinking and encourage their creative expression. Support your child’s interests. Stretch what they know or know how to do.
Art Sparks Communication
Art helps children communicate their ideas. Children’s drawings are their first written communication years before they can read or write. Art opens the window into what your children are thinking and feeling. Talk about what you observe in your children’s art as they draw and paint. Let your child tell you the story of their art. “Tell me about your drawing?” is a perfect question to spark conversation.
Participate With Your Child's Art Interest
Be encouraging by watching your child work. Try to stay interested by asking questions about what your child is creating. You can even sneak-in some criticism: For instance, on a drawing project, if your young child is not utilizing the whole sheet of paper, have them expand their composition by asking questions about what might complete the scene. “Is Mommy standing inside or outside?” “How can you draw Mommy inside?” And if they want help, then draw a quick sketch (even if it's bad) on a separate piece of paper. Since your child learns visually, this will probably more effectively communicate your idea than a verbal description. Show your child some techniques you remember from growing up. In drawing, using the technique of overlapping objects to show depth is very important. The sooner children can learn to draw overlapping shapes, the easier more sophisticated forms of drawing will be for them. No matter what the subject, just encourage your child to complete what might be missing. It won’t discourage him/her if you show that you’re interested in what he or she is portraying by requesting to see more!
Keep Working Materials Readily Available
Have lots of paper available on which to draw. A regular #2 pencil is used by many professional artists today. You may, however, need to have plenty of erasers available, since the one on the end of that new #2 pencil probably will not last but about an hour! A good pencil sharpener, high-quality markers, crayons, colored pencils, and watercolor trays all work just fine on that scrap paper you might bring home from work.
Young Sculptors and Architects
If your child doesn't like to draw or paint, that doesn't mean he or she doesn't have artistic talent. They may be creative in three-dimensional media. Have air-matured clay (or even play-dough) around for forming wonderful creatures. Allow the child to play with erector sets, "Lincoln Logs", "Egos" or simple blocks of wood to create structures. If you're concerned about pickup for these often-messy play construction toys, try dedicating a small table or a hard-surfaced corner of the room to be used just for sculpture. Take pictures of your child's constructions-especially if they're made with these toys or wood blocks. This action not only will show them that you're interested in what they're doing, but the record of past projects will allow them to expand upon what they already achieved for the next time.