Every child is born creative and ready to learn. Notice how eager our toddlers are to unleash their creativity onto our living room walls?
Art is one of the first ways through which a child learns to express himself creatively. Art allows children to express their imagination and tell stories, overcoming language barriers.
Before our little ones learn to read and write, we get to know more about their world through their scribbles and drawings.
Various studies have shown that art helps children in their cognitive, emotional, social and communicational development. Studies have also found that children who participate in more arts activities have higher levels of self-esteem.
As parents, we want to raise creative children, who are also happy, empathetic and imaginative. Here are some tips to help you nurture the confidence and skills from which creativity will flow.
● Boost your child’s confidence and encourage their choices
Start off with boosting your little one’s confidence in his work. Be conscious of how you talk to your child about the art he makes. Children learn from watching us, so be kind to yourself, too. Avoid negative self-talk and don’t utter the words, “I can’t draw” in front of your child.
Remember, when it comes to art, there is no right or wrong. So when your child chooses to colour the sky pink or purple, resist the urge to “correct” him. Appreciating his unique choices will help him feel more secure and trust his instincts. Learning it’s OK to not be perfect will help him to live without creative limits.
The beauty of art is that it allows you to break the rules and opens your mind to exciting possibilities. The best pieces of art were born because someone dared to ask, "What if?"
● Make art fun and exploratory
Art should be all about being in the moment without worrying about the outcome. The aim is to enjoy the whole process, and not just the end result.
As parents, we can encourage our children to explore new materials, ideas and techniques, without pigeonholing them.
Our children are like little sponges, soaking up the sights and sounds of the world around them. Encourage your children to spend time outdoors and discover art in the ordinary. You might also want to take your children to local museums and art galleries. Bring along some pencils and a pad so your child can sketch something that interests them. When kids learn about new things and get new ideas, they become interested in drawing new things.
To help your child along in his artistic journey, you might want to set up a dedicated art space with a table or easel, and stock up on art supplies like pencils, child-safe paints and crayons, markers, clay, brushes, sponges, paper, canvas, cardboard, and fabric. Give your child a place to display his creations.
Lastly, you should never pressure your kids to be artistic. Sometimes, our children are just not interested in drawing and painting, and that’s OK too. There are plenty of other ways your child can channel his inner creativity. You need to give them the freedom and support to discover what they like to create.
● Enroll your child in art classes
Art classes usually have the extra space and tools that your child needs to work on more creatively-satisfying projects. An art teacher may be able to better guide children with the inspiration and tools that they need to continue pursuing creativity.
Art needs to feel liberating for children. So do look for art classes that defy convention and help them overcome fear and self-doubt.
Our children need teachers who can teach them kindness, patience and self-compassion, and spaces that offer them options to explore their creativity and passion.
Which is what makes the story behind The Art People so heart-warming. At the age of eight, a young boy was asked to drop out of art school due to his poor performance in drawing and colouring.
This led to much disappointment and sadness, but also proved to be a turning point in his life. At the age of 30, he launched his own art school, so no child would have to go through such a heartbreaking experience.
Today, The Art People is a specialised training school in Singapore that offers classes for kids aged 3 -15, by providing well-rounded kids Art, Animation and Game Design Classes through a structured curriculum.
They have a very motivating philosophy, “If you can WRITE, you can DRAW”
The Art People approaches art from a holistic point of view, keeping in mind a child’s developmental needs. Their art instructors focus on technical skills training, from understanding pencil control to colour perception using a proven structured program.
And if your children are not keen on drawing and painting, they also offer other avenues to channel their creative passion.
For the children of today, who are keen on animation and game designing, The Art People provides technical training in AR Animation, and Game Design courses that allow students to create and design animation and games that are real, unique, and fun.
Mums and dads, if you are looking for an art class that will boost your child’s self-confidence and empowers them to be future-ready, look no further. Head over to https://www.theartpeople.com.sg/ to book a free assessment today.