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