As parents, we all relish the masterpieces adorning our walls—those priceless expressions of creativity from our budding artists. Whether your child is exploring their artistic whims or exhibiting a natural talent, nurturing their passion for art is a rewarding journey. We've curated a set of down-to-earth strategies that strike a balance between encouraging creativity and maintaining a practical approach. Let's explore how to create a space where artistic exploration thrives, engage in projects together, and celebrate the unique artistic journey of each child—all while keeping it grounded in the joy of the creative process. Join us on this journey of cultivating your child's artistic flair without losing sight of practicality and fun.
8 Ways to Foster Your Kid’s Artistic Ability
1. Incorporate Art into Your Kid’s Life
Everything in today’s world seems to be pushed into a schedule, or a to-do list. But really, even scheduling out our kid’s creative hours? We’re not a big proponent of forcing anyone to do anything, especially our children. If anything is forced it becomes tedious and counterproductive. We do believe that encouraging your child to play with art supplies as routinely as possible can be beneficial but not if forced upon them. Using phrases like, “would you like to go an draw?” or “does painting sound like something you might want to do?” are much better than saying, “it’s time for your daily art practice.” The whole goal with art at a young age is to make it fun not an obligation. That being said, leaving a space open on your kid’s schedule to have that choice is encouraged. By making art time a consistent and enjoyable part of their routine, you not only provide your child with a dedicated outlet for self-expression but also instill a sense of excitement and anticipation for their artistic adventures.
2. Create a Cozy Art Corner
As with most things, we start to associate tasks and routines to a specific location. This is not to say that art can only be done in one specific part of the house, but by designating a corner or a specific area for art, it primes our kid’s minds for exploration and self-expression. By designating a specific area in your home that is easily accessible and inviting, you are providing your kid an opportunity to make their own decisions on when they feel like playing with their art supplies. A corner with a small table, some basic art supplies, and good lighting can work wonders. Depending on the age of your child, we recommend stocking this space with a variety of art materials, from crayons and paper to recycled items, ensuring a diverse palette for their artistic exploration. Remember that kids do not explore art cleanly so embrace this corner as a colorful and messy area or buy easy to clean art supplies.
3. Get Your Hands Dirty
Our favorite way of reinforcing a love for creative endeavours with our kids in doing art time together. Yes, that means you and your partner sitting with your children and just having fun with the art supplies. This will help create a positive association with being creative for your kids and for you. The most important thing is that this time is not for competition, showing off, or comparison. Instead, its about fun, laughter, and keeping an open mind. Encouraging open-ended conversations about their creations while steering clear of excessive praise or criticism is also crucial. The point is to focus on the process and decisions, not the end result. This hands-on approach not only strengthens your parent-child connection but also instills a lifelong appreciation for the joy of artistic expression.
4. Cherish Their Unique Creativity
Cherishing your child's unique creativity is paramount in fostering a positive and nurturing environment for their artistic development. Each artwork is a personal expression of their thoughts, emotions, and imaginative prowess, and by celebrating their distinctive creations, you validate their individuality. Embracing their unique approach to art helps build self-esteem, encouraging them to explore and trust their creative instincts. This acknowledgment reinforces the idea that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' in artistic expression, fostering a sense of confidence and freedom in their creative journey. By valuing and cherishing their unique creativity, you not only contribute to their artistic growth but also cultivate a supportive atmosphere that encourages them to embrace their individual artistic voice with pride.
5. Celebrate Art in Your Home
After you’ve had one of your family art sessions, or a you get gifted a masterpiece from your little Van Goghs, designate a space to show off and celebrate their creations. Whether you want to frame them and hang them up or simply put them on the fridge, its important for your child to see that their art is cherished. You can always rotate the art on display rather than just hanging all of it up. Allowing your child the opportunity to curate their own refrigerator exhibit is also fun for them. While having the art front and center, you can have dialogue with the artist themselves where they can explain their inspirations, their goals, and what they like about each piece. Having our kids express these ideas is a great tool in their development that reaches far beyond the world of creative expression.
6. Keep the Art Corner Stocked
Kid’s are spontaneous little balls of energy. From one second to the next, they could go from wanting to play with you, to wanting to focus and create. There is no knowing what the next second might hold. That’s why we believe its a good idea to always have the art corner stocked with a variety of supplies, such as paper, crayons, markers, and glue, ensuring a continuous flow of materials for spontaneous bursts of creativity. Another thing we love to do is embrace recycled materials – they can often spark innovative ideas while being eco-friendly.
7. Explore the Masters and Other’s Art
Have you ever walked by a gallery and been stopped in your tracks by something so inspiring? For kids, a lot of what they experience in the day to day is new, but they learn from everything in the world around them. That’s why we believe that exploring other artist is vital to creating a love of art. Every piece that we see in the world, has the chance to make us feel something or teach us something. Not everything will, but no one knows what will have an effect for your kids or yourself. So why not explore the vast world of art and see what inspires your little ones to create. By broadening their exposure to various artistic influences, you not only stimulate their curiosity but also provide a broader perspective on the limitless possibilities of creative expression. This exploration fosters a sense of appreciation for the vast world of art and encourages your child to draw inspiration from different sources in their own creative endeavors.
8. Embrace Mistakes with a Smile
This all comes back to fun and enjoyment. Embracing mistakes with a smile is a fundamental aspect of nurturing a healthy and resilient attitude toward artistic endeavors. When children feel supported in taking creative risks and experimenting freely, they learn that making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process. By acknowledging and smiling through mistakes, children gain the confidence to explore their artistic boundaries, cultivating a sense of fearlessness in expressing their creativity.
Conclusion
Fostering your child's artistic ability is a rewarding journey that combines practicality, creativity, and a nurturing spirit. From creating a dedicated art space at home to engaging in hands-on art projects together, celebrating their unique creativity, and exploring the diverse world of art, every step contributes to their holistic development. At nxtgenart, we are committed to helping children continue to explore their creativity through adulthood because we believe creative expression allows us to a more well rounded human. Our goal is to build confidence in the nxtgen by taking their art, putting it on t-shirts that can be proudly exhibited in the world, and paying each artist a commission for the sale of any piece with their creation on it. We hope you will join us on this journey to support the nxtgen of artist.
