Just because a child doesn't express an immediate passion for paintings, illustrations, drawings, and sculptures doesn't mean you can't ignite the spark of appreciation. In fact, most young people simply need an opportunity to enjoy such things. They need exposure. Once they have it, many of them will find a unique, unbridled joy that wells up within them. Sadly, many parents either won't or don't provide the opportunity (for example, through kids art classes). Some don't even realize that the budding artist within their child only needs the chance to emerge before taking flight.
In this article, we'll explore how you can help children gain an appreciation for art in its various forms. You'll learn the importance of building the bridge that allows young people to cross the chasm between their own passions and the artistic unknown.
Give Them Room
Young people crave affirmation from authority figures. By the same token, they're often worried about the chance that you'll be displeased or disappointed in them. When you visit museums or galleries together, give them some room to compose their own opinions. You might disagree with them, but avoid showing displeasure with their views. After all, you want to prevent their associating their personal opinions about artistic expressions with your disappointment.
Provide Learning Opportunities
Most cities have galleries, museums, and other venues that display sculptures, crafts, paintings, and even photographs. Unfortunately, most people neglect to visit these places with their children. In order to encourage their appreciation, you have to give them opportunities to learn. By providing continued exposure to new creations by a wide range of artists, they'll slowly develop a familiarity with various types of artistic works. Often, it's this heightened familiarity that eventually leads to appreciation.
Also, keep in mind that some venues will even profile the work created by kids art classes. That provides a child with the perfect opportunity to observe the creativity of his peers without worrying about hurting anyone's feelings. It may even motivate them to ask you about joining kids art classes.
Solicit Their Opinions
Always ask children for their opinions regarding the creative expressions they've observed. For example, if they're looking at a painting, ask them how the colors in the painting evoke their mood. If they're looking at a black and white photograph, ask how the perspective makes them feel. Having an authority figure ask them for their thoughts regarding what they're observing can galvanize the most timid of children. If you notice a passion growing, consider enrolling them into a kids art school.
Walk In Their Shoes
Children witness the world in a manner that is far different than adults. A lot of older people are quick to dismiss a child's perspective, thinking they're merely sheltered and inexperienced. In truth, they simply see things from a different point of view. First, realize that young people can become bored quickly by old masterpieces. Instead, they're often drawn by artistic work found in unlikely places. For example, a child may love the artwork in his favorite comic book. Or, he might stare at a black and white sports photograph in the newspaper. Encourage it. Try to see things from their point of view.
Enroll Them In Kids Art Classes
Kids art classes provide a wonderful opportunity for them to express the creativity developing inside them. The lessons can inspire and direct that expression through the right channels, giving them the chance to find their preferred form and media. While children can learn to draw, paint, or sculpt on their own, kids art classes provide them with the core skills they need to understand artistic concepts. The key is making the opportunity available. For some young people, having a structured environment in which to work and learn propels their passion and drives their creativity. Kids art classes can be the perfect vehicle for that passion.
Helen Nadel is a performing art teacher who has empowered many lives.
She teaches the young actors how to simply empower each other and how to make a real difference as per the quality of the work on set. Helen and her staff proudly have allowed for children to become so good at their craft that the kids who sing, dance and act, or two out of the three, often perform as series regular actors on major shows on television.
