Five mistakes we make with our kids and art:
1. Trying to keep art clean, quick, and saying "DON'T MAKE A MESS... " as they create.
Art is messy, it is experimental and unrefined.
Don't make them feel bad for getting messy.
Lay down newspaper, let them wear an old shirt, and have them help cleanup at the end.
2. Trying to guess aloud what they must have drawn unless they have asked you to.
ALWAYS ask what they have made first. Let them explain the picture. You will be shocked at how much they can see and express from a few marks and scribbles on a page.
In art, telling the story behind the piece is sometimes more important that the art itself.
Let art give them a voice.
3. Tossing their art aside, in a stack, or thrown away. Even if their work is only displayed for one day on the fridge or bulletin board, HANG IT UP. My boys create so much more art when I hang up what they have done. We have several spots in our house where their work is proudly displayed.
4. Agreeing with them that what they have drawn does not look good,
or that they could have done better.
Even if you follow it up with, "well you are only...years old, when you are older you will be much better. Encourage them where they are right now. That their small hands just turned something out of nothing. The minute a child senses that expectations weren't met, the creativity is stifled.
5. Tell them you are not a good artist. OR politely refuse to create art with them because you feel you are not a good artist.
We typically draw at the age level we were when we stopped drawing. Most people stop at between ages 7 and 9 years old. This is when they are most likely wanting to switch to realism and not sure how and so they just stop. No one is a bad artist, we all just draw at different levels depending when the lessons or creating stopped. DRAW with your kids, make marks and create. Sit beside them focused on your work not theirs and they will LOVE those memories made together.
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