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The Art of Creation
Raising Creative Kids By Shel Franco
Carrie Meyers Smith of Landaff, N.H., remembers the day her 4-year-old became an architect. On pieces of paper, her son drew blueprints, walls, the roof and a chimney. He carefully cut out each piece and, using slits in the paper, he slid it all together to make a 3-D house.
Kids love creating. There's no doubt about it. And what's not to love: markers, pencils, pens and clays come in every color. Some are even scented or have special textures.
On the surface, art helps children create something that is enjoyable to look at, but underneath it all, so much more is going on. "Art teaches preschoolers to believe in themselves, to try new things and to trust their own imaginations," says MaryAnn F. Kohl, author of twelve books on art, including Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product and The Big Messy Art Book. "Art teaches preschoolers that there are surprises, possibilities and wonder in imagination, and they can control how it all happens."
But what projects are best, and what if there doesn't seem to be any interest? With a little guidance, you can ensure that your child is gleaning all the positive influences that the world of art has to offer.
And what better way is there to do this than with finger paint? "Finger painting is an old favorite because [kids] are allowed to get dirty when they paint," Parker says.
Don't let the potential mess cause you to avoid this classic form of artistic expression; just make sure the paint you purchase is washable. Set up shop on linoleum floors or other surfaces that are easy to wipe clean. Use large sheets of paper to minimize the opportunity for paint seeping off the edges, and don't forget to dress your child in comfortable, old clothes.
