subject: Encouraging Your Child's Interest In Art: A Guide For Non-artistic Parents [print this page] It probably started with finger paintingIt probably started with finger painting. Then your child started doodling on every stray piece of paper he could find! Even if he never becomes the next Renoir, your school-aged child will benefit greatly from expressing his artistic side in positive ways. Here are some tips for encouraging your child's interest in art.
Learn About Developing Your Child's Talents
Don't be put off just because you feel as if you have no artistic talent yourself: remember that every person is different and your child's talents may be very different from your own. Find out everything you can about different artists. Buy books about famous artists and talk about their lives with your kids.
Visit Museums
When you think your child is old enough to obey the rules, take him to local museums so that he can see different genres with his own eyes. Your university or community art museum probably hosts programs geared specifically toward children: take advantage of these wonderful opportunities and get your child involved.
Set Aside an "Artist's Corner" in Your Home
If space allows give your child a little corner in your home that he can call his own, where he can paint or draw or sculpt with clay without worrying about making a mess. Make sure you provide him with different types of art sets that he can experiment with: watercolors, acrylics, and even oils when he is older. Although many non-artistic parents may only think of art in terms of paint, remember that there are other media that your child may enjoy: clay, pencils, charcoal, chalk, as well as pen and ink.
Don't Give Too Much Guidance or Criticism
Many children's attempts at art are quashed by well-meaning parents who want to offer too many suggestions and too much guidance. So what if his sun is blue? So what if his rainbow doesn't follow the correct order in the light spectrum? Let your child experiment and develop at his own pace, and allow him to explore his world and his own imagination on his own terms.
Get Him Group or Private Lessons
Many children take piano lessons: so if your child is crazy about art, why not get him group or private lessons? Many continuing education programs sponsored by local school districts have age-appropriate group classes that are extremely affordable. You can even take classes together! Many art supplies stores and craft outlets also offer weekly classes. At the very least, these types of places can be a valuable resource to help you find the right kind of instruction for both your needs and your budget.
Non-artistic parents really can encourage their own children's interest in art: it just takes a little research and a little effort.
