In this article we will explain how to guide, help and support your child in his artistic development, there are attitudes that parents may have, and although they are with good intentions, they can be counterproductive for the child.
Continue reading these 5 fundamental points, to foster in the child a solid foundation, so that tomorrow he/she will be a great artist if that is his/her passion.
Where do I start? How do I help him?
Drawing is as natural for children as talking. In fact, it is one of the most primitive means of expression in the human species. Many mothers and fathers see their child drawing constantly, even obsessively.
Some may think it is simply a hobby, others may project that he or she will become a great artist, but what all loving mothers and fathers will want to do is support their children.
First and foremost: Don’t criticize
Many of us had an upbringing based on criticism. Sometimes constructive, sometimes destructive.
Children put all their efforts into making a drawing, whether to illustrate a situation, or to tell a story, or to copy their favorite character, they draw for pleasure, they seek to enjoy the process.
By showing their result what they are doing is to include you in that enjoyment, do not spoil it by criticizing the colors or shapes, or how realistic this or that representation has turned out.
Parents should understand that they are being invited to a game, to an artistic exploration where there is no right or wrong. The child’s invitation is a token of love and to accompany him/her in this experience.
Respect their space
Accompanying children is essential, but sometimes, you have to show it in unintuitive ways.
Parents may want to approach their child while he/she is drawing, and talk to him/her and show interest, however, for many children this may be perceived as an invasion of their creative space, necessary to develop their work.
It is common when a child is drawing to be approached and asked What are you doing? What is this? Is this the nose? How nice! And so on.
These questions, even if they are asked with the best intentions, can be extremely annoying for the child. He is devoting all his attention to the drawing, and may wish to be alone and silent.
This doesn’t just happen to children. Think how a mechanic, a carpenter, or even a surgeon would respond to the same questions. Remember: Being supportive doesn’t mean being permanently nearby; you must judge for yourself whether your child needs you near or far away.
Get good drawing materials
If a child wants to draw, he will draw with anything. He will do it on the back of a pamphlet with a pen or with a high-quality pencil on thick paper.
Anyone would be happier with quality materials, as they expand the possibilities of action on the canvas.
Depending on the child’s desire is that you will have to get him the necessary tools, if he loves to draw in black pencil, you can buy him pencils with harder or softer lead, which will allow him to experiment in different shades.
If he is interested in coloring, get pencils, watercolors, and tempera in many colors (the more the better). For each case you will need to get good sheets.
Don’t worry, fortunately there is a wide variety of prices and qualities to try the tools that best suit your child, you can seek the advice of a bookstore employee or his art teacher.
Fundamental: Find a good teacher
While drawing may be a mere hobby, your child may want to increase his or her knowledge and techniques about art. It’s always a good idea to try taking him or her to a workshop where, in addition to learning, he or she can meet other kids like him or her.
It is recommended that you look for a place that is not too competitive if your child is still young, there will be time for him or her to try out in the big leagues. Rather, look for a place where he or she is comfortable and can enjoy the activity.
Consider that art is a very personal matter, and your child may not like the first workshop you take him to. Don’t be discouraged. It’s not that he doesn’t like art. He just needs the right teacher or group.
Don’t worry about the future
As stated above, some parents may project an artistic future for their child just because they see him drawing as a child.
These projections can be positive or negative, there are those who will think that drawing is a waste of time, that there are more valuable things to do, that he will not be able to make a living with art, that he will be the next Van Gogh, or that he will go to Paris to paint the Seine.
Many are the prejudices that parental anxiety can produce, we must not overestimate things, a child who enjoys drawing is just that, a child who enjoys drawing.
It is likely that he may be manifesting an early passion for art with more or less talent, but this does not mean that in his adulthood he will work as an artist or designer.
It would not be a problem for him to do so, since there is a wide labor market that requires draftsmen. We should not allow the child to perceive these anxieties, he is playing, and concerned about the here and now.
Conclusion
As we mentioned throughout the article, the process of creative development of a child is very important, but more important is the way you support and help him in his artistic future, so do not miss the tips we revealed at the beginning of the article.
If you follow the steps to the letter, your child will surely have a great future as a drawing artist.
We’ve seen that a child who draws can elicit a variety of thoughts and courses of action. Some of them can be counterproductive, even if our wishes are to encourage it.
Essentially, the best course of action is to be relaxed about matters that have to do with their artistic development, since children draw because they can and because they find it pleasurable.
In this sense, drawing is the same as any game or sport, although there are children who draw different realities, with more or less support from their parents, there is no doubt that, with the right encouragement, not only will you have a young artist in the house, but also… You will have a happy child!
