Does your child like art?

There are children who are absolutely not interested in art activity at all although there aren’t many.

Most young children would give it a try if teacher suggests an activity or if they see other children try it. But sometimes I see children who strongly resist to even try an art activity and I see this as a part that needs to be worked on by those children and teachers. 

Art comes in many different forms. Art is not just about using paints and drawing things. Art for young children is also about trying new things, experimenting, using imagination and expressing. So if a child doesn’t want to do anything on the art table at school, it’s a small red flag for me. 

I believe the first thing that children need to be creative and expressive is having self-confidence. If you don’t see your child engaging in any forms of art activity at home and you want to help your child, start by reading this book together. 

Book “Beautiful Oops!” By Barney Saltzberg

This is a short children book that is mainly filled with pictures. It shows some possible mistakes and defects that can happen in the art time in the real life and how those flaws can be transformed by artistic creativity.  For example, a torn piece of paper can become a mouth of crocodile and a paint spill on a white paper can become an elephant. The author makes the “oops” situations look like fun opportunities to create something new and encourages children not to be sad about mistakes and let their imagination run wild with the mistakes instead. 

This book talks about

▸ Problem-solving

▸ Positive perspective

▸ Creativity

▸ Self-confidence 

▸ Growth mindset

▸ Creating art

I recommend this book because this book can give your child a fundamental growth mindset that will help her/him to try new things and specifically try making art. The art examples in the book can be good starting points. 

For example, 

you can give your child a paper torn on the edges and encourage your child to make something with that torn part. 

“Is there anything that needs an opening?”

“My gummy bear bag?”

Or you can let your child make paint drops on a white paper and then create something different using those paint drops. 

“Who needs dots?”

“I would like to give my stuffy lion a new dress with dots!”

Or,

Try this super simple activity.

Folded Paper Art

Materials

• White paper
• Crayons/markers (Thick ones would be nice if you have) 

How To

Ask your child to fold a paper.

*Try to make clear lines while doing it.

Fold it multiple times until the paper is about the size of adult’s palm. 

Open the paper and flatten it.

Find shapes on the paper and colour each of them with different colours of crayon/marker. 

Learning points

▸ Getting rid of the fear of making art

▸ Building self-confidence 

▸ Getting a taste for using colours 

It’s a great strategy to place materials in the accessible area for your child to make your child to be independent and creative. Leave simple art materials like crayons, markers and papers in the area where your child usually hangs around.

Happy learning and quality time!

Teacher Gela 👩🏻🎀