Why you should NOT teach your child ART! (Art stuff edition #1)

If any of you know me personally you are probably thinking one of 2 things... 

1) I obviously made a proof-reading mistake and didn't really mean to write that.  Which to your credit... happens a lot.
2)  I have lost my ever art loving mind!  Considering, I have a double major from a Kansas City Art Institute, teach art in the private sector, and truly believe in my heart that art is fundamental to all aspects of a well rounded child.

So... why would I title this post "Why you should NOT teach your child ART".

It's because a child does not need to be "taught" art, they are already some of the best artist ever!  It's in their DNA, they live and breath art.  Children have created some of the best things I have ever seen in my life.  It's us adults that just screw it up and get in their way.  Some of the most famous and talented artists ever, have known this.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."Pablo Picasso

Now, you are probably saying "you are not making any sense at all".  Well.. here is what I mean in the most orderly way I can think to present it.  I'll keep it simple.

Top 3 things you should not ever say or do to a child artist.....

1) Don't ever show them how to draw something!  Don't do it!  Because chances are you can't draw it any better than they can and by teaching them a tree is drawn like this .......

you have shut down any attempt to discover what a tree looks like to them... what wonderful things they could see - with their detailed eyes.. with their imagination that see fairies in the leaves, or the fantastic reflections of the dew, or the texture of the bark.  And really... not all tree's look like this, but somebody taught you to draw a tree like this and so you pass down this horrible habit to your child and therefor shut down their own discovering process.

2) "Oh wow.... this is beautiful".  That's fine if you know that specifically it was meant to be beautiful.  But... something most adults don't understand the point of art is not to be beautiful!  Art is meant to be interesting, emotional, a discovery, a way to communicate to others.  In the earliest forms it literally is a note to others about what that kid is thinking about.  And if that kid is really mad, sad, or scared, and they are trying to tell you that... your beautiful reaction is inappropriate and shuts down their line of communication.   For example.. maybe they are trying to tell you why they aren't sleeping well.  Seen Monsters INC.?

image from http://tillsontitan.hubpages.com/hub/Have-You-Really-Seen-Monsters-Inc

3) Don't ever say.. "I can't draw a straight line or a stick person - I'm horrible at art".  What you said to them is "anything you think is good really isn't because it's not perfect and therefor I should not try and just use the excuse, I'm not good at art".  Does that work with any other subject?  I mean really, would it be ok to tell your child "I'm sorry I'm can't multiply 2x2 or do arstro physics so I'm just not going to try any math at all, I'm not good at math".  If you kid said that to a teacher at school, your reaction would be that only practice, leaning, and understanding helps you get better.  Don't ever give up at such an early age on any subject.  But, I have lost count how many elementary school age kids have told me "I'm not good at art".  What?  Oh.. are you a World Series Player? Cause if you aren't at that level by age 8 you should just drop out of little league.. because really.. What's the point? You obviously have zero talent at baseball.

3 things you SHOULD say instead!

1)  Let's start with what we see and break it down into smaller pieces.  

Example how to talk a child through drawing a tree.

• Where you do want to start top, bottom, or middle?
• What shape is that most like?  Square, circle, pyramid, wiggly oval?
• Is that part the same color?  Is there any part that is brighter, lighter, darker, fuzzy, or smoother than the other part?
• Can you use your extra super power eyes and see anything little on there you need to add or is it all complete?
• What part do you want to do next? 
• Is that part smaller, larger, closer, farther, over, under, darker, lighter etc.. that the first part.  
• Continue on with that type of questioning.
• Is it all done, is there anything else it needs to look complete, or interesting?  Anything you can think of to add to it to make it your own?

This way the drawing is constructing it's self, your child isn't focused on the skills of their artistic ability but rather trusting what their eyes are seeing and trusting that.  And NOT trusting what their brain thinks  it should look it, which is probably wrong.

2) "Wow, this has a story to it, can you tell me what that story is".  This doesn't need a lot of explanation.  Just don't patronize your child.  All art has a story, that's a fact.  The story can be why it was made, how it was made, the story of who made it, when they made it, who the made it for or with.  You will get so much more out of your child's art work with this question.

3) "I'll try my best and have fun doing it".  Because, that's what matters at this age.  You, they, everybody will get better if they just don't give up, or stop trying.  So what if it's not the best ever, do you really think a 4 year old cares?  No, they don't, they care if you participate.



What I'm trying to say is you don't have to TEACH IT... They already KNOW IT!