Art & Kids

Most kids I've come across including when I was athough is that if a child is open to art, enjoys
kid love to draw, doodle or paint; it seems like we'recreating, this is another outlet for them to use when
all born with this love for the most part and as wethey're troubled about something rather than locking
grow up, sometimes that love dwindles, goes awayit up inside where it can do real damage. Personally, I
all together or remains with us. The reasons for thethink that's something a lot of adults need or should
different aspects of art leaving our lives as we growrealize as well.
up are many and varied; they can range from justPersonally, I like to use myself for an example on this
plain losing interest, becoming frustrated enough assort of situation; I always enjoyed drawing &
we get older that we're not happy with our workdoodling for most of my life but was never into it
and we move onto something else that we're betterenough to pursue it passionately till a few years ago;
at and sometimes it's simply due to lack ofthis wasn't due to my parents lack of
encouragement by the grown-ups around us includingencouragement; they always thought my work was
parents.the greatest even when it really wasn't. I hate to say
I will tell you though why I think it's so important toit but I just was never interested enough in it to
keep encouraging a child's artwork, whether it'spursue it continously although I always did add a
painting, fingerpainting,drawing,doodling, etc. It's atouch of art to most things I did, whether it was
huge boost to their self-esteem; you don't have todesigning my folders I used for school to even one
be great at art and let's face it, there's only so manytime painting a pair of my shoes partly gold to make
child prodigies out there that are exceptionally giftedthem unique hehe. Look at me now, I'm a graphic
from the onset; art is about so much more thandesigner/digital painter and rarely go an entire day
having something you can tell what it is or define in awithout trying my hand at something creative unless
nice little niche. Art is about the soul; it's where aI'm in a tremendous creative block in which case I do
person's creativity sparks and is allowed to expresstake a breather so as to keep the frustration from
itself without any hindrance or fast set rules.building up.
Another wonderful reason to encourage a child isNaturally, not every child who dabbles in art will
something we might overlook on occasion. Children,become an artist, writer or what have you but by
no matter their age, have a hard time expressingallowing them the opportunity to explore their
themselves verbally- let's face it MOST adults aren'tcreativity, their imagination throughout their life
exactly great in this area either; hence why so manythrough art, no matter the form, you will be helping
arguments are started, divorces happen, etc. Now ifto raise a human being who will be open to new
something is really bothering the child or is worryingideas, explore new paths, never lose their sense of
them, how do you think they might express it? Youwonder and no matter what career they pursue as
guessed it right!! with their Art! Art is a wonderfulthey grow up these sorts of qualities will be of a
way to express your emotions and children do this alltremendous boom to them and will give them both
the time; now am I suggesting that you start toan edge & an outlet for when things get tough and
analyze each piece your child draws, paints or sculptsseem overwhelming.
out of play-dough? Of course not! What I am saying