By: Lullabies

Lullabies — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:22:50 +0000

Hello Emily, and thanks for your message. I keep reading that the arts curriculum in school becomes more product oriented, more representational in the primary grades and beyond, and at the same time children start to become a bit more self conscious about what they create, which may influence their interest in art making. I have taken a look at an excellent book by Mary Renck Jalongo and Laurie Nicholson Stamp called “The Arts in Children’s Lives: Aesthetic Education in Early Childhood”, which lists a number of ways that parents can help to foster their child’s creativity at home. A few ideas include: role-modelling by taking artistic risks yourself, finding ways to participate in your child’s creative interests, consider lessons that may deepen your child’s love of art (if this interests him), create a special area intended just for his art making and for displaying his art work. Visits to art galleries and museums can also be inspiring – I have observed children on field trips with their sketching materials, re-creating great works they are seeing. And there are many, many wonderful books for young children (many I hope to mention on the blog over time) about artists and their masterpieces which may also excite his imagination. Yours is an excellent question, and so important. I hope some of these ideas are of help!

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 03:49:48 +0000

Angelique,
I recognize that familiar pile of art materials that are largely unused. Your eloquent words have prompted me to evaluate not my own, but rather my recently turned 8 year old boy’s artistic passions.
I wonder how to set him up for success with drawing or creating? Perhaps, what I mean is how could I inspire him to create? He truly loves to draw but will only engage from time to time. Then he takes breaks from it, not seeming interested for a few weeks.
What are you thoughts as parents or educators on how to inspire the creative process and experience for our young children?
Emily

Comments on: Am I an Artist?

By: Lullabies

By: Emily