Give your kids the freedom to create art their own way!

As most of you already know, I am crazy about kid's art and art projects for kids that build confidence and self-esteem.

I feel it is very important for children to have the opportunity to create art in their own 'voice'. To discover who they are, what they can do and what is interesting to them personally.

It is important to discover these things in a creative and supportive environment. One where they are not judged and where the process of creating the art is more important than the actual result.

You've heard it said before, "It's the journey, not the destination."

This morning I was reading an article about an art teacher that teaches summer art programs for kidsout of her barn-turned-studio. She creates an environment where the children are free to create art their own way using a variety of techniques and materials.

My favorite line from the article is something the teacher said about what is important to her in teaching kids art.

"I want the kids to learn that art is about losing your inhibition, expressing yourself, about not looking around the room to see if you’re doing it the right way," she said.

If you are reading this blog you probably already agree about the importance for art in our society, but there are many people who don't realize how the creation of art and the skills learned, can benefit other areas of their child's learning and development.

When your child discovers they can run their fingers through blobs of paint to mix colors, they find out how new colors are made. (Science)

When they attempt to tape CD's to a box to make wheels for a cardboard car and they fall off, they see that glue can be stronger than tape. (Physics)

When they cut out a rectangular paper door for their paper 'House Collage' and realize it is too big to fit, they learn to look back and forth to their original for reference. (Math, Measuring & Surface Area)

And when your child creates something beautiful using their own two hands that makes their heart sing, they begin to understand that they are capable and that they can make a difference. (Self-Esteem)

So throw a big pile of art supplies on the table and let your child create whatever their heart feels like creating.

You will not only be giving them something to do, but will be giving them the freedom to learn… in their own way!