Talking to kids about art

By Spramani Elaun

Free book excerpts from Kids Painting© Book:

When kids share their art with you, it’s important you remember they are young and just starting out painting, drawing or making crafts.

Many hours of practice needs to take place for artworks to look recognizable to parents.

I recommend you listen first without asking questions about what their artworks are.

Listening first helps kids feel confident.

If you first listen then kids can talk about what’s on their mind and try to describe their creations.

A parent or teacher who listens first is very supportive and won’t make a child feel judged on their artistic skills.

Kids Art Talk

A common mistakes teachers and parents make is asking children too many questions about what they created.

Another common mistake parents and teachers try to analyze their art like an art critic.

Most artworks made by young kids, remember, are experimental, and led by curious ideas or just simple play.

You won’t stump your child’s creativity or artistic skills by not asking artful smart questions.

Supportive 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 work, ask if they want to save, showcase, or maybe give it away to someone special.

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Spramani Elaun is an American natural art teacher and author of several art education books for children. Spramani Elaun has nurtured visual art lessons for thousands of children. She is founder of Nature of Art For Kids® Art School, an Earth-friendly non-toxic paint manufacturer, and founder of Colour Blocks™–the original square block recycled crayon company—and Art Kids Zone venues across the West Coast.