4 tips for how to talk to kids about their art and ways to encourage their continued creativity and self confidence as artists.
Updated July 2021 by Anna Harpe
Are you wondering how to talk to kids about their art?
Maybe you find yourself saying, “Beautiful!” or “I love it!” every time your child brings you her latest drawing, simply because you don’t know what else to say.
Here’s a quick guide to help you know what to say (and what NOT to say) the next time your child shares his artwork with you.
How to Talk to Kids About Their Art
1. Avoid Empty Praise
It’s such a knee-jerk reaction for many of us to pile on praise. “Wow!” “Amazing!” “So beautiful!” It’s an easy go-to that doesn’t require much thought.
But did you know that too much empty praise can have negative effects on our kids’ motivations?
Child development experts tell us that when we pile on the praise, children may start “performing” for our reactions. Before you know it, kids are drawing pictures to hear the compliments instead of for the love of the process. Not exactly what we intended, right?
So… what’s a parent to do? Read on!
2. Make Observations
This might take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s EASY! Instead of all those “wows,” try making simple observational statements about your child’s art. You’re not making judgments; instead, you’re noticing.
- You used so many squiggly lines here
- I see lots of red and yellow!
- You filled the whole paper with your painting
- You’re really concentrating while you work
- I see triangles and circles
These kinds of observational statements might feel awkward at first. But I challenge you to give it a try; I think you’ll be surprised at how naturally your child responds!
3. Ask Questions
Instead of telling your kids what YOU think about their art, turn their attention inward. Ask questions!
- What’s happening here?
- What did you use to make this?
- Why did you decide on those colors?
- What title would you give your work?
- What would you like to do with your art?
- Do you feel proud?
4. Put Your Child in the Driver’s Seat
Can’t think of anything to say? I’ll make it easy for you: “Tell me about your work.”
It’s that simple!
Just turn the attention back around to your child and what they think about their work. It’s a simple, engaging response that gets your kids talking and keeps the focus on the child and the artist. Perfect!
Free Printable Guide: How to Talk to Kids About Art
To help you remember these tips, I created a FREE printable for you.
More Kids Art Resources to Get Started
- 7 Amazing Benefits of Art for Kids That You Might Not Know
- How to Be an Artful Parent
- 10 Top Favorite Art Activities for Kids
- 25 BEST Art Supplies for Kids
- 6 Simple Ways to Set Up Art Spaces for Kids in Your Home
About The Author
39 Comments
molly
February 16, 2010 at 7:43 amWow — with perspective and everything. Love it. Have you been reading Going on a Bear Hunt lately? :)
The Artful Parent
February 16, 2010 at 8:38 amDon’t think we’ve read that book yet. But we’re heading to the library…
molly
February 16, 2010 at 9:03 amWe are just taking it back to the library today — that is why it is on my mind! The one we are returning is by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.
Lauren
February 16, 2010 at 9:34 amGood point about commenting on art! My son is very sensitive about that, and I guess I am too, so there you go.
Also, does anyone have a particular child sized easel to recommend? What do you like/not like about yours?
Pam
February 16, 2010 at 11:11 amVery sweet reminder of regarding the sacred personality of our children. (a Charlotte Mason thought). Thanks. I always feel inadequate about that very thing!
The Artful Parent
February 16, 2010 at 12:51 pmI think ours (Melissa & Doug) is great. It’s relatively inexpensive, sturdy, adjustable, etc. The adjustable part is what I have always said I liked the best about it, though, and obviously I haven’t adjusted it yet! Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Standing-Easel/dp/B0002AUWKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1266342552&sr=8-1
The one thing I don’t like about it is the chalkboard surface which doesn’t work too well. I keep meaning to paint it over with chalkboard paint, which other people have done, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
The Artful Parent
February 16, 2010 at 12:51 pmJust got it!
Scented Sweetpeas
February 16, 2010 at 1:22 pmWhat a wonderful cave! I love the way she set up the sections before she coloured them in all separately to get depth into her piccy – very talented little lady :-)
The Artful Parent
February 16, 2010 at 1:36 pmNot to discount Maia’s abilities, but frankly I think the illusion of perspective is largely due to the black marker losing it’s ink as she worked inward!
Sarah N.
February 16, 2010 at 1:40 pmThat’s one fantastic cave. I find myself asking my girls to “tell me about your picture” a lot. I try to remind myself not to make assumptions and I’m often amazed by how differently they think and create.
Carrie at Rhubarbsky
February 16, 2010 at 1:52 pmOoo, thanks for this one. I also try to ask what something is before assuming I understand my kiddo’s art.
I’d love more of your thoughts on how to talk to kids about their art, and also your ideas on how to encourage kids to keep trying. My five year old is in the “I messed this up, so I’m going to crumple up the whole thing and cry” stage. Also the “but it doesn’t look exactly like what I wanted it to look like!” and the “YOU draw me a cat mama!” stages. Any resources on encouraging her creativity and stick-to-it-iveness?
Angela
February 16, 2010 at 1:59 pm“Oh, very interesting! Tell me about that…” must come out of my mouth 100 times a day. There’s sooooo much art going on around here with sooooo much snow outside, it’s easy to get impatient and slip into bad habits. Thanks for the reminder.
Annette Standrod
February 16, 2010 at 2:48 pmso true… I have an art therapy degree so that is one of the first things we learned. I am still trying to get my husband out of the habit of saying “what is it?” and my daughter is 3 now.
Nikki
February 16, 2010 at 3:28 pmI’m so glad you’ve addressed this issue! I hear myself saying “nice” sometimes and want to scream inside! My mom always thought everything had to be something, and I don’t want to repeat that.
I have 2 extra kids over on Mondays, and with my 3 they get into the art center and go wild. Ideas fly, and they want to know what I think of their creations. (Last time, I got in there with them, which happens too infrequently :) Thank you so much for your blog.
shenandoah
February 16, 2010 at 3:35 pmI need to start an art group for my son right away.! this is a fantastic drawing! And that she calls herself an artist…..love it. I just love that way you bring art in to her life. living in Brooklyn NY it is a little hard but this drawing is so inspiring. the way it fills up the whole page……
Deborah
February 16, 2010 at 4:17 pmHaha! Yes – you might want to raise it up a bit! Good idea to wait until an artist has finished the masterpiece before asking any questions!
Concetta at Glittering Shards
February 16, 2010 at 5:21 pmhee hee – that’s lovely. They grow so fast the easel can’t keep up. (Bear hunt is a favourite here too btw.)
weelittlearts.com
February 16, 2010 at 8:11 pmWe love the conversation and getting the nation to revisit the value of an early childhood visual art program. Please check us out on the web and on Facebook.
we would love to speak with the owner and creator of “The Artful Parent”. please visit http://www.weelittlearts.com
and contact us. Thanks
Lindsay R
February 17, 2010 at 1:35 amhave you heard of/seen the book “ish” ? it’s awesome, and addresses that “crumple it up” thing, which BOTH my big boys tend to do at times. ;-)
Lindsay R
February 17, 2010 at 1:38 amoops…that link is makebelieve-lindsay.blogspot.com
Lindsay R
February 17, 2010 at 1:37 amhi, jean! great cave, and i just wanted to say THANKS for the pretzel link…we made them on valentine’s day, and they were a huge hit, both to make and eat. loving your site more and more each day…finally got mine up and running, too!
Meg @ Kids & Eggs
February 17, 2010 at 7:25 amMy daughter…and son have come up with some really creative – I never could have guessed it- creations such as..
walking goggles & dozens of sad faces BECAUSE she likes making rainbows (the frowns) for mouths – sometimes it takes a mother to love and truly understand these pieces of art.
Lauren
February 17, 2010 at 1:03 pmThanks!
Related to this post, this morning my son was drawing a big round squiggly yellow and green thing and when I asked what it was he said, “Well, it might look like Abraham Lincoln, but it’s not.” Glad I asked!
Carrie at Rhubarbsky
February 17, 2010 at 1:26 pmThank you so much Lindsay! I just put “Ish” and “The Dot” (same author) on hold from our library. They both look fantastic!
Carrie at Rhubarbsky
February 17, 2010 at 1:28 pmThanks Jean,
It’s so curious to watch my little one’s art attitudes start developing. It seems to me that there must be a crucial point at which kids start to abandon the free-spirit of creating art and start judging themselves. I’m super interested in fostering my kiddo’s creativity and the joy she gets from doing art for as long as possible.
Hmmmm.
Jean Van't Hul
February 17, 2010 at 9:34 amCarrie, I’ve gotten the “you draw a cat” or baby or heart or whatever. But not the other two (yet) so am not sure what to say. Maybe I’ll ask an expert…
Allison
February 17, 2010 at 7:31 pmI just showed this picture to my 4 year old son and asked him what it was and lo and behold, the boy said “A Cave”!! I just had to share that b/c I thought it was great!!
NancieKay
July 13, 2012 at 12:53 pmMany years ago, a first grader complained to me that I hung his ‘cow’ upside-down in a hallway display of paintings. These paintings were a series of black drip lines done in tempera paint going horizontally & vertically with the resulting spaces between the lines then painted in watercolor in what I naively thought was a random order. When I corrected the placement of this student’s painting sure enough there was a clearly defined cow…the things I learn from my students!
My favorite go-to question to my students is “Tell me about your painting (drawing, sculpture, etc)”. Saves me a lot of confusion and helps the child put into words their creative process. Specific praise concerning line, shape, color (and all the other elements and principles of Art) helps increase their vocabulary as well…
Sarah
July 14, 2012 at 7:33 amThis is helpful! I always stumble or pause when first shown the masterpiece and my son has a big smile and I have no idea what it is. Now I am prepared!
KatieK
July 14, 2012 at 8:52 pm“So, what’s going on in this amazing drawing?!”
This is what I say pretty often to my art students. My youngest students are 7, so they have a bit more confidence, and thankfully, most of what they draw is recognizable. Even if I have to guess and guess wrong, I have never let a child leave discouraged. I will praise their use of color, line, shape, composition skills, and imagination. Critiques in my class have always scared me a bit, but the students LOVE having their classmates ask them questions about their artwork, and that takes bravery. Because of this, each student exits the critique with a great self esteem, and ownership of what they made, and the power to answer questions.
Becky G
July 16, 2012 at 7:56 amI really appreciate your reminders (and those in the comments) about being mindful when talking to kids about their artistic creations. Thanks!
Erin Casci
July 17, 2012 at 11:45 pmI don’t know what to do when my 4 yr old brings a piece of paper with a few scribbles on it. She probably spent about 15 seconds on it and didn’t seem to have any goal in mind. Do I give it praise when it wasn’t something she really tried or thought about? I want to encourage her to color and draw but it doesn’t seem like I have found and effective technique yet. Thanks,
elspeth
May 22, 2018 at 7:56 amHi Erin,
Sorry nobody has replied to your great question yet – I think that the “tell me about your drawing?” question is probably the most helpful. But you could also use the ‘describe what you see’ technique when it seems like a 20 second scribble with seemingly not much to say for effort or time spent. We are aiming to build their confidence, which means being honest and not overpraising as we’ve learnt in this brilliant article, so describing the colour “I see you used your green pen for this one..” or “…the pink crayon.” with warmth, is I think what I would do. Would love to know what Jean Van Hul thinks too…
cami Stewart
August 18, 2012 at 9:58 amGood tips! Thank you
Tracey
October 2, 2012 at 6:35 pmAs a kindergarten teacher I can tell you I hear “I can’t” a lot and requests for me to draw it. I tell the kids that I learned by practicing in kindergarten! If they are desperate type A’s I sometimes make suggestions for shapes that they could consider putting together… An oval, circle and two triangles could become a cat. Also, kids know false praise when they hear it, so if they didn’t really put any effort in, don’t gush, encourage them to add to their work.
Little Artist
December 29, 2012 at 8:16 pmI love your blog and this post is particularly great. I’ve also noticed that it’s important that their drawing doesn’t have to be anything – it can just be experimenting with technique, materials and colour. Just give them time and space to do their magic!
Katgirldu
February 5, 2013 at 8:54 pmComment on how her motions affected the scribble, “your pencil went fast, round and round.”
• “Your pencil moves fast, round and round”
• “You have pink at the top and blue at the bottom”
• “You put red squares on top of a green shape”
• “That’s one of the brownest picture I’ve ever seen.”
• “Look how you filled the whole page with color – was that fun?”
• “Look how you put all those small circles around that big shape.”
• “The blue shape is next to the red shape. None of your pieces touch.”
• “You have lines and shapes together, here and here.”
Connie Gleeson
February 21, 2013 at 12:01 amOn the whole a great post, and as devil’s advocate I propose that instead of saying “I like…” which communicates judgement and approval which might adversely effect the artist (if she/he didn’t plan it or regards it as a mistake), just say what you see; for example, “Wow, the red paint is mixing with the yellow paint!” Then… WAIT… and see if the artist expresses a feeling or comment on the effect.
Kristen
February 26, 2013 at 3:16 pmWhat is the theory behind NOT saying this? As an art educator I see that it can be prescriptive and limit the possibilities of what it could be (as it cold also be abstract) but do you have any article you could point me to that I could share with my Parent and tots art class?