Art at Home

By Studio in a School Staff

Why is it important for me to encourage my child to make art?
For young children, making art is fun and a way for them to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. When children are encouraged to express themselves through art activities, we learn more about who they are.

What about the mess? When I come home from work the last thing I need is to have something else to clean up!
Making a special place for art in your home can be as simple as having a plain, brown shopping bag where a supply of art materials can always be found. Children can be made to feel a part of this process by making a sign for the “Art Bag” with their crayons and pencils. Lay down a simple procedure for art activities at home (newspaper on the table, containers for glue and paint, etc.) and involve your child in being responsible and involved with the setup and cleanup, “I’ll take care of the paintbrushes, while you can either put the paper back in the bag or fold up the newspaper.” Allowing a young child to have a sense of choice in the process is empowering and more likely to get a positive response.

Should I tell my daughter what to make when she does art?
No! One of the most important things about all art experiences is that they are personal and unique. We want our children to become thinkers, decision-makers, communicators. These are some of the skills children develop as they make their own works of art.

It’s hard for me to find something to say about my child’s art work. It all looks like scribble-scrabble, and the only thing I can think of to say is: “What is that?”
Try asking your children, “What do you see?” or “What is happening in your picture?” or “What did you do first?” This can guide you into understanding more about what your child is expressing. It may not look like anything to us, but for the child, it is important. A question like “What is that?” can confuse young children who may simply be expressing a feeling or an experience. When children sense we are asking them genuine questions that do not have right or wrong answers, they can realize they are being taken seriously. The more they can trust and become able to share their thoughts and experiences with us, the more confident they become in their ability and desire to communicate.

I don’t have space in my house for more stuff! My son already has so many toys. He says he’s bored after five minutes, then he starts to bother his sister as she tries to do her homework.
The great thing about art is that the basic materials – paper (a selection of different colors and sizes), pencils, paint brushes, scissors, tape, glue, and perhaps wood or cardboard and clay – don’t take up much space, and children have so much fun with the same materials over and over again, each time creating and experiencing something new. With just a little encouragement from you, they will stay focused for longer and longer periods of time.

My daughter seems to live in an imaginary world most of the time. What does imagination have to do with her doing well in school down the line?
Active use of the imagination is a vital and natural process for young children. As children interact with art materials, they are being invited to use their imagination as part of the process. As children “read” stories into and from their pictures, they also activate their imagination. For many children, this is an early step towards becoming active and thoughtful readers and writers.