You can teach your child to draw while creating a fun and important way of connecting with your child. Through your child’s drawings, you can learn about their developing worldview – how they feel about certain concepts or how they are dealing with stressful circumstances, for example.
A child’s artwork can be a vital bridge to his deepest thoughts and emotions. Drawing can also be a foundation on which to build self confidence and various life skills.
In order achieve the full benefit of drawing with your child, there are a few simple steps parents can take. Even if you feel you have little talent yourself, you can draw, and so can your child. Consider the following ten suggestions to help your child learn to draw.
Start Early
Allow your child to mark on paper as soon as he or she is old enough to hold a crayon.
Teach the Shapes
Once your child knows the names of shapes and how to draw them, he or she can put shapes together to outline any object.
Encourage Creativity
Introduce your child to various artistic mediums and encourage imagination. Don’t set rules for art, just let it happen.
Draw with Your Child
Learn about art yourself and lead by example. Make drawing and other artistic projects a regular part of your child’s activities.
Ask Questions
Draw your child out and don’t impose your own views on his or her artwork. Encourage storytelling.
Help Your Child “See” Objects
Talk about the shapes, lines, and details of objects. Work together to copy these shapes onto paper.
Demonstrate Technique
When your child longs for details in his or her drawings, show your child how to shade, crosshatch, and add dimension. Introduce different styles of art.
Anticipate Changes
Your child’s interest in drawing will change with the passage of time; be ready adjust with this change.
Be Positive, Not Critical
Mistakes happen. Even when your child is dissatisfied, praise effort and offer genuine commendation.
Celebrate Progress
Share in your child’s joy over a finished project. Compare old drawings to new, noting improvement.
