This is not an comprehensive list to help your child become an artist. Here are five basic ways to get your little one involved in the art world. If you are already into the arts, this article may not be for you, only because you probably already participate in these sorts of activities. If not, this is for you and you may also enjoy reading how to get started with art.
- Visit museums, art galleries, and other places that display art. Encourage your child to explore the different types of artworks. Let them take their time looking at something that’s interesting to them, even if it’s not interesting to you. Ask your child to talk about what they like. If they don’t like a particular art piece, ask them why or why not. This can help them understand what kind of art they like and may even spark a conversation about the kinds of art they would like to try making!
- Get creative with supplies. Let your child express their artistic talents by giving them materials such as paint, colored pencils, pastels, clay, fabric, and other materials. This can help them explore different mediums and potentially find something that inspires them. An intriguing art piece can be made with recyclables and tape.
- Encourage experimentation. There is no single way of becoming an artist, so rather than expecting your child to produce a masterpiece right away, it’s important to allow them to explore different techniques and styles of art. This will give them the freedom to experiment and find something they love. If you’ve moved on from basic school supply type art material, try watercolor. Kids really love water color as they can make it light or dark as they can. Also try tempera paint, as it’s usually washable and a great stepping stone to acrylics.
- Let me mess up! Help you child become an artist by letting them make mistakes. Some of the best art comes from mistakes and unexpected outcomes. If your child makes a mistake, let them know that it’s okay and that mistakes are part of the creative process. Talk about how cool Bob Ross was when he made happy little accidents.
- Have your child seek feedback. Encourage your child to share their artwork with people they trust, getting their feedback as they grow and develop their skills as an artist. This can be invaluable in helping to refine and improve their technique. There is a big caveat with this suggestion. Only do this if you think they are ready for that. You don’t want to give feedback unless your child wants it and is ready to hear it. If you are both just doing art for fun, there’s no need in telling him or her that the art could use a little of this and not a lot of that. You may discourage them before they ever find an interest in a particular art form.
I believe when our kids are really young it’s our duty to get them involved, because of the therapeutic value in doing art. See more benefits here. However, sometimes we want things for our children, then realize as they get older, that your path is not the path they choose. All we CAN do is make sure they have as many opportunities as possible to challenge them mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally in a healthy manner. We may strive to help our children become artists, but along the way, they may discover that music or animals are their passion.
