What should you do if your child doesn’t like art?
Many people have asked me this over the years, both in person and on the blog.
Earlier this week, my doctor told me she was feeling a little frustrated that her son just wasn’t into arts and crafts. Her most recent activity, making paper snowflakes, was met with resistance, as many of her others had.
As I said to her, and as I’ll tell you, it’s okay.
A. There’s nothing wrong with your child if he doesn’t like art. Everyone, child and adult, has different interests and propensities. That’s what makes us human.
And B. Your child can get the benefits that art provides in other ways.
While I am a big proponent of art as an avenue to creativity, it’s certainly not the only way to develop creativity. And I believe that it’s important to follow your interests and your heart. This goes for both kids and adults, of course, but let’s focus on our children for now.
As parents, we want the best for our kids and that includes developing their creativity (arguably the most important skill of the 21st century) and doing our best to ensure that our children hold on to their creativity throughout childhood.
While art is an avenue to creativity, it is only one of many. Since I love it myself, my blog and books are focused more on art than on anything else.
But if your child isn’t into visual art, there’s no need to force it.
There are other ways to develop creativity, including construction, pretend play, science experiments, the other arts such as music, performance, and dance, and even (especially!) the way you talk and question.
If your child doesn’t like art, what does he or she like?
And how can you encourage him in that area in a way that develops creativity? (Often this involves encouraging open-ended exploration and asking open-ended questions.)
If you’re not sure how to encourage creativity in your child’s area of interest, leave a comment below and we’ll help brainstorm with you.
Also, just because a child says he hates art, doesn’t mean you take his 7-year-old word for it that he’s never going to like any kind of art.
Kids change. They go through phases. And they don’t know all that’s out there.
I think it’s important to respect their preferences and individuality but also to continue to offer a variety of occasional art opportunities. That’s our job as parents. Every once in a while, set up a new art activity*, try a class or camp that has an art component, or invite them to join you in doing an art activity.
*Try to think beyond simply drawing and painting.
There may be an art that he or she would gravitate toward that he just hasn’t tried yet.
How about photography? Pottery? Land art? Tesselations and other math art? Action art? Art games? Collaborative art? Cake decorating? Sensory art experiences such as shaving cream or feelie goop?
And just a reminder… Art can be more or less appealing to a child, depending on how you, the adult, present it and guide their experience.
Some questions to ask yourself ::
- Is the art activity developmentally appropriate? For younger children, this generally means process-oriented art (where the focus is more on the process of creating rather than the finished product, allowing children to explore themselves, the world, their skills, and materials in an open-ended way).
- How are you talking about your child’s art-making? For some dos and don’ts and some tips on talking about art in a way that encourages creativity, see this post.
- Are you modeling creativity? I think the most important point here is to make sure you don’t denigrate your own artistic ability or creativity. Even if you don’t feel creative or think you can’t draw, please don’t say that out loud in front of your kids.
- Are you encouraging free expression? Or are you dictating how the child uses the art materials or does the art activity? The more freedom they have to explore and express themselves, the better (as long as they follow general household rules and basic respect for space, self, and materials).
Now, another point, if you like art yourself, please just do it!
You don’t have to wait for someone else to be interested to do it yourself. You can sit down and enjoy it on your own. (And maybe, just maybe, your reluctant artist will want to join you sometimes…)
More Ideas and Resources
- Determine Your Child’s Crafting Style (on Crafting Connections)
- Sneak the Art In (on What Do We Do All Day)
- 12+ Ideas for Reluctant Artists (on What Do We Do All Day)
- 7 Ways to Foster Creativity in Kids (on Greater Good)
- Fostering Creativity (on PBS’ The Whole Child)
- Twenty Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Creativity (on Education.com)
Want to learn more about how to use CONNECTION and CREATIVITY together as parenting tools? I have a powerful mini course on how connection and creative activities can work hand in hand to improve family life while fostering long-term creativity and self confidence. Click here to buy now or learn more.
Pin It for Later
