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Art & Kids

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



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