Humans have always used drawing to communicate complex messages. Young children approach drawings in much the same way – innocent, uninhibited and boundless! No barriers stand in the way of a child drawing what she thinks and feels. She only needs the time and supplies to open an amazing world inside her head and express it for the world to see. Images of love, friendship, family and favourite things are all part of the world of drawing for young children.
So what are some of the tangible advantages of drawing for young children (and older children, and teens and adults and older adults and virtually every single person on the planet?) Here are 5 reasons why you should create a space to draw.
Drawing develops hand-eye coordination
Young children will naturally pick up drawing instruments and start sharing their thoughts on the page. You don’t really have to do much other than provide them with the tools and the place. By simply starting drawing, kids naturally begin the process of improving their abilities in what I like to call the small muscles. Hand-eye coordination is naturally improved as they let their minds run free. Unwittingly, they are also training their hands and eyes to write, and that’s pretty cool!
Drawing helps kids to express what they can’t say.
It’s not easy for kids to say what they mean. Their vocabulary is limited and their ability to concentrate on a difficult message is evident. But every picture is worth a thousand words, expanding their vocabulary exponentially.
They might have some troubles of which you are unaware. Ask your child to draw family, friends, teachers or a favourite toy or place. The pictures they draw can help you understand how they think and feel about their world. Look at the colours they choose, how they draw things and people. One thing I love doing is asking them to explain certain parts. Listening to them use the drawing as a conversation piece is both informative and often time very fun and funny!
Drawing builds confidence
Drawing takes effort in both mind and body. Children will naturally try to be accurate in their drawings more often than not. Their attempts to be accurate are filtered through the lens of their minds and their abilities. This may be the first times in their lives where they are the sole decision maker on what to use, how to use it and what to create. Let them have it all! There are no wrong answers in Drawing, only results. Don’t ever criticize a drawing and never point out shortcomings, instead point out the greatness that is their own personal creations!
Drawing makes your child a perfect Artist creating perfect works
When your child is working on the creation and is lost in the moment, they are expressing a singular vision. Virtually every practising adult artist yearns for the connectivity to a work that children achieve effortlessly.
This connectivity and absolute concentration can help children dream and envision things greater than the sum of their surroundings. Drawing pushes the boundaries of their known universe and can help them express hopes and dreams far beyond that they know. It can help them make sense of the world around them and create new connections between issues and things in their lives.
So Get Drawing!
Drawing is simple. Low cost and wonderfully intense way for your Little One to spend hours on end in the magical world of their own head. The results bring smiles to them and to you, and make for great conversation starters! Hang up their works and display them prominently.
So, good parents, get those drawing pads, crayons, pencils, watercolours, hand paints and any other supplies you can think of and put them out there for your child to use. Guide them to the front door of the wonderful world of drawing and let them go!
Here are three cool websites that help you draw with kids!
1. 100 Cool drawing ideas for kids
2. How to encourage drawing in young children
3. Art courses for 6-year-olds in Prague