Teaching kids how to paint

Niksik · Jul 23rd, 2008, 02:29 PM

How do you nurture a talented little kid?

Do you take them to art lessons. Get them videos? How do you determine if it is painting that's their thing? Are there comprehensive art classes that teach a little of every style?

Mirch · Jul 23rd, 2008, 02:51 PM

We never sent our Oldest son to any art classes but when he was in 2nd grade he used to draw characters from animated shows pefectly. In his case I guess he was born with this talent.

Lusi · Jul 23rd, 2008, 03:14 PM

What age are we talking about? When children are young...toddler to elementary school grades, we should assume that they can paint and provide them with ample opportunities to paint. We should not relay solely on art courses to nurture this talent but incorporate art across curriculum. For example, I was working with 5th and 6th graders in summer. After finishing our book for the reading, one of the projects was that students have to draw their favorite scene and color/paint it. So you can have plenty of activities incorporated with other learning areas that would provide the child with opportunities to practice their art skills.

If the child is taking art class during the school or after school, the art teacher should be able to recognize the skills child excels. While teaching them other skills the teacher should make sure they somehow provide the child with opportunities to master the skill that the child is most comfortable with. This can also be done at home when parents are working with their children, they should be able to recognize what sort of art skill child excels in and provide them with different opportunities to practice that skill.

I am not quite sure if children will be really interested in watching videos. If you plan on using a video, then watch it before hand, get the supplies and have them follow the steps as they watch the video. You can pause in b/w and work with them so they don't feel overwhelmed. Also, use video only once a week, if used more, child can lose interest. Use small duration videos, if it is a long video, watch it in parts.

Make art a fun experience for yourself and your child.

Niksik · Jul 23rd, 2008, 04:14 PM

Thanks Lusi. Great tips.

Right now, my daughter spends all day doing "projects" and comes up with the most interesting peices. I can see her talent and interest. We do things together, but I want to make sure I guide her well and help her. Many times, our talents go waste if they aren't "nurtured" as we all get busy doing other things, and later in life regret not having actively taken up something we liked and enjoyed.

Khumar · Jul 23rd, 2008, 10:57 PM

a little bit of "lessons" should be great too. like making trips to art museums or galleries. getting books from the library and exploring the pictures in them. once they grow older, then showing them other techniques of painting. talking about the colors and textures of art they see. and then drawing that. but nothing too restrictive, especially at a young age.

Niksik · Jul 24th, 2008, 01:44 AM

Yes, she loves books on art. We took the kids to the Childrens museum here and there is an entire section on art. She was mesmerized by the endless possibilities, and she was even able to wear an apron, get an easle and paints and get working with an instructor. She stayed there for a loooooong time!