appreciating childrens art

Recently my son (3.5 yrs) and I were drawing on our easel.   After cartoon the image in the above correct side of the motion picture, his annotate was, "Momma, I think that you await like a chicken in that [motion-picture show]."   In my daftness I had originally assumed information technology was a chicken, not a movie of me.

How should we answer to a child's drawings even if nosotros cannot run across what they are in the child'southward eyes?

Tips for appreciating childrens art:

  • Look at it through the child'due south eyes.

Children don't nevertheless have proficient control over their easily and fingers similar adults do.   Children also meet things differently.   An adult looking at a family unit portrait may see the dad as a big giant.   But when looking at him from a 3 year old's perspective, Dad does seem quite large.

  • Avoid labeling the artwork with what you think it is.

Automatically labeling a cartoon equally a canis familiaris or a chicken (in this instance) may send the child the bulletin that their work is not recognizable.   Past asking the kid about their flick it shows that yous are interested in what they are doing, feeling, and thinking.

  • Inquire questions regarding the child'south color choices and methods.

By request open-concluded questions, information technology allows the kid to express their thoughts without beingness forced into yeah/no answers.   Questions similar "Tin can y'all tell me about all of this red?", "What feelings did yous have when yous made this picture?",   or "These swirls are interesting.   Why did you use them?"

  • Requite specific feedback.

Comments such as "Skillful job!" or "What a cute picture!" are generic and say nothing nigh the specific artwork or the child's efforts.   While many of united states of america mean it to bolster the child'southward self-esteem and make them feel good about their cosmos, this can have the reverse effect.   It may exist a picture the child created was of a scary monster.   If the annotate fabricated on it was "What a cute picture!", the child may experience inept or misunderstood.

  • Appreciate their efforts.

Art has long been a popular ways of self-expression.   Creating images through gratis fine art allows children to express their emotions, work through issues, or use their imagination.   By reflecting on the motivation and feelings the child had while creating their "masterpiece", nosotros are allowed a glimpse within their minds.

Every kid is an artist.   The problem is how to remain an creative person once nosotros grow up.

-Pablo Picasso

Bank check out these other fine art posts from the Quirky Mommas:

  • Kids Art: How To Store It All
  • Artistic Kids
  • All About Paint

Andie Jaye is a former preschool teacher turned SAHM of two kiddos. Her blog, Crayon Freckles, is an eclectic mix of play, fine art, and learning activities. Mingled in are her perspectives on being a crunchy momma, having a long-haired hippy male child and using follow-your-gut parenting. Meet more of Andie on Crayon Freckles' Facebook page, on Pinterest or on her parenting teens site Why Does My Teen?