Nurturing supportive talks about kids artworks
By Spramani Elaun
Book: Nurturing Children In The Visual Art Naturally ©
In my most recent book I reveal how talking to children in a loving nurturing way helps self-esteem and supports art development.
When young children share their artworks it’s important to remember they are in the beginning phases of their lives, and new to communicating visually.
Communicating visually through artworks can mean; doodling, drawing, painting, sculpting, crafting or building.
It can take many hours of practice to make pictures look like images you and I as adults recognize.
Making artworks isn’t something a child can quickly learn under the ages of nine years old.
My observations working with young children uncovered visual perception, fine-motor practice and cognitive processing was key to how they make art.
So what should you say to a proud child pumping artworks out daily?
Listen First!
My advice is to listen first, try not to be quick to ask questions about what they drew or why.
Help children feel confident by listening.
Listening can help them talk about what’s on their mind or describe their pictures.
Listening is very supportive and won’t make a child feel judged or bring focus to their artistic skills.
Common Mistakes Parents or Teachers Make
One of the most common mistakes parents make is asking children too many questions about what they created or try to analyze it like an art critic.
Sometimes children will agree with your questions or comments to please you.
Young children are not yet aware of adult artsy terms like; lines, form, sketching, composition, space or colour theory under the ages of 9 years old.
Children in primary grade school have not yet had enough visual art classes to understand these terms in context.
Most artworks made by young children are experimental, led by curious new ideas or simple art play.
You won’t stump your child’s creativity or artistic skills by not asking artful questions.
If you have a child that shows interest and wants to discuss their skills then art terms should be introduced slowly.
Nurturing talks
Simply nurture a child’s creative process by being there to listen and ready with positive words.
Nurturing talks can sound like this “I like your work, do you want to share with me what you created?”
After the child has explained all they can about their works, ask if they want to save, showcase or maybe give way to someone special.
If this child doesn’t answer or hesitates, give them a reassuring smile as approval, then add to their pin-up gallery!
If you would like more advice on this topic read my latest up-to-date art method book, Nurturing Children In The Visual Arts Naturally.
Excerpts from Chapter 22
“A clean white drawing paper or fresh canvas can feel like a paper playground to a child excited to fill it up with, ideas, exploration, experiments, emotions, reactions to the world around them or just simply art play.” Spramani Elaun
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