Children are the most valuable thing that this world produces. It is vitally important that the next generation grows up to peruse their dreams to fulfillment, for the betterment of society. In order for this to happen, children must be encouraged in their areas of strength and interests. Although most parents are concerned about their child being able to make a good income, far too many parents don’t take the time to consider what area their child is gifted in, what that child was born to do. Many children have an interest and a talent in some form of artistic endeavor, right from a very young age. This interest should be encouraged! Even if the child doesn’t grow up to have a career in the area of fine arts, being able to create art as an outlet of expression is tremendously rewarding and satisfying.
Start the child off in the direction of art by providing crayons, pencil crayons, markers, paint, sparkles, glitter glue, and other craft supplies. Let the child experiment and find what forms and subjects excite them. Show pictures of good artwork, either in books or online. Encourage a response from the child and accept whatever he/she says about the pieces. Another idea, for an elementary school-aged child, is to present a picture like Starry Night, by Van Gogh, and then let the child reproduce it. The results can be both remarkable and touching.
A creator of Dallas abstract fine art, Esther Ritz, gives this advice for encouraging children in the area of art, “take them to museums, set up an easel at home, or a table with clay or other stuff. Do NOT comment or add your own ideas at all!!! Just encourage them to spend some time there. But NO Comments, good or bad. Let them find their own way and make their own judgments.” It is important that children not be discouraged in their early attempts at art. It is equally important that they don’t become dependent on someone else telling them what or how to create. They should have a feeling of ownership over their own work.
Another thing which parents can do to encourage their child is to provide outside opportunities to participate in the world of art. Esther Ritz, a Dallas abstract fine art painter, shares, “I was always interested in art as a child, and was given art lessons throughout my childhood.” Although classes in art are not necessary, they help people know if they should pursue art as a lifelong venture. Not everyone is born to be a poet, but if people don’t learn to read and write, they will never know whether or not they could have been a great poet. It is the same with art lessons. Not everyone is born to be an artist, but, without some art exposure and instruction, people will never know if they could have become a great artist. Many children have inherent ability in art; it just needs to be triggered.