Every Child Is an Artist. Let Them Continue to Be an Artist

Are your young children naturally interested in new things? Do they frequently mark up the walls with scribbles and drawings? Congratulations! You have a miniaturist in the house. 

Youngsters are inherently interested in learning about their environment. Learning to think logically and rationally takes up a significant portion of school time. Learning new words, solving math problems, and memorizing state capitals all require the use of the left hemisphere of the brain.  

The contrast of black and white that a newborn observes, the music to which a baby wiggles his fingers and toes, and the grandmother’s lullaby that calms a wailing infant are all right-brained activities, and these are what captivate pre-verbal infants. 

A.A. Milne wrote a passage in his Winnie-the-Pooh novels that goes like this: “Sometimes the simplest things take up the greatest room in your heart.” This is true not only of parents’ feelings toward their newborn, but also of a toddler’s feelings toward the vibrant colors and joyful strokes they create with their scribbling, coloring, and finger painting. It’s never too early to start exposing your kids to the arts.  

Most of what we learn about the arts in early childhood isn’t really meant to teach us anything. As parents and teachers, we’re just doing what comes naturally to us.  We make them look at pictures in books while we mimic animal sounds. It’s important to expose newborns and children up to the age of five to the outside world, since they absorb information like sponges.  

So, if you discover your home’s walls are a mess, it’s important to refrain from becoming angry. Instead, you should use plain speech to interrupt them and guide them to a safe area for painting.  

Sirwiss connects you with a network of private tutors; among them, you may find the art instructor best suited to nurturing your child’s blossoming artistic talent. Read on for some explanations for why it’s important to get kids involved in the arts early on and some suggestions for doing so. 

Why Painting Is Beneficial to a Child’s Development? 

Painting is a great way for kids to use their imaginations, develop their motor skills, communicate their feelings, and boost their confidence. Painting is also an excellent approach to introduce students to important educational topics like shapes and alphabet. The advantages of painting with a toddler are numerous, and they are not limited to the child. Your relationship with your child will become stronger and your understanding of them will deepen as you spend quality time together painting. 

8 Developmental Advantages of Painting 

*Helps with both fine and gross motor development. 

*Increases focus and tolerance. 

*Increases one’s spatial IQ. 

*Ideal for Having Fun While Learning Colors. 

*Improves a kid’s confidence. 

*Allows for the Expression of Feelings. 

*Gives Them an Opportunity to Be Imaginative. 

*Offers an introduction on sensorial encounters. 

Take a closer look at those advantages of painting for preschoolers. 

1. Self-esteem 

It’s fantastic for kids to have the freedom to experiment without worrying about making a fool of themselves or facing negative consequences. Children can express themselves freely, knowing that both their peers and adults would be awestruck by the results. Providing a child with this opportunity for abstract self-expression can do wonders for their sense of self-worth. 

2. Learning Colors 

This is a no-brainer, of course. Color recognition can be taught in a fun and useful way by letting kids paint and play with different colors. When they work, simply tell them the name of the colors they pick without interrupting them too much. 

3. Motor Skills 

Painting is a fantastic motor development exercise since it assists toddlers with mobility and coordination. As they use their arms to paint freely, they are strengthening those muscles. They can also improve their ability to control their movements with greater precision by learning to use paintbrushes. 

4. Expressing Emotions 

Painting is a terrific opportunity for kids to let out pent-up sentiments like anger and other strong emotions in a safe and constructive way. 

5. Geometric Cognition 

The ability to think spatially is crucial in the formative years. Young children develop a sense of depth perception through the process of painting and creating shapes and things on a surface or medium. With practice, they are able to imagine solutions to problems without taking any actual action. 

6. Sensory Advancement 

The process of painting, whether with fingers, a brush, leaves, or anything else, provides a sensory experience for youngsters. Exploring these novel sensations in a safe environment is essential for children. Very curious and enthusiastic young children may often paint their hands with paintbrushes just for the fun of it. It’s also true that some children will be hesitant to even approach the painted wall. That’s how kids naturally react to novel experiences; don’t worry about it.  

The Advantages of Finger Painting for Children 

Finger painting is a favorite activity for young children since it is both simple and enjoyable (although admittedly slightly messy). The advantages of painting in general are also present in finger painting.  

Your child’s sense of touch, smell, and sight will all be stimulated as they engage in this fascinating form of painting. Giving your child control over the coloring process gives them a sense of independence while also encouraging them to think creatively. 

In addition, the practice of finger painting helps youngsters focus, maintain balance, exert control, and build strength—all of which are important in laying the groundwork for a successful transition into writing. Because kids are not responsible for the safe handling of other items (such as brushes, paint holders, etc.), they are free to develop their creative and imaginative sides without anxiety. 

How to Teach Youngsters to Paint, First Lessons 

Teaching a child to paint for the first time can be an intimidating experience. You can have fun and create excellent first-time painting courses with the help of a seasoned art teacher. A child’s first painting classes can be inspiring and motivate them to continue painting in the future. 
1. Wear Clothes That Can Get Stained 

Wear only paint-friendly garments. Use an old shirt or smock to protect your good clothes. You might think of a smock as an apron for the kitchen. For paint sessions, parents can dress their kids in whatever they see fit. 

2. Preparations for Painting 

Make sure you have a clean, spill-proof area to work in. Painting areas with access to running water. Being in close proximity to a sink or dishwasher will make cleanup much simpler. Placement of drop cloths on the floor facilitates cleanup after accidents. There are perhaps paints that won’t come off as easily as others.  

3. Safe Paints for Kids 

Only paint with non-toxic colors that are safe for children. Paints intended for use by adults should never be used on children. Little children may struggle to follow the complex directions that come with adult-grade paints. Chemicals included in some adult-grade paints could be harmful to youngsters. Always paint in a room with plenty of windows or doors to let in fresh air. 

4. Painting Tools for Children 

The most frequent tool for painting is the brush, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the primary tool. Use anything from sticks and stamps to feathers and rollers to potato stamps and bubble wrap and droppers and sponges and squeeze bottles and twine and marbles. 

5. Materials Kids Can Paint on 

Kids have a wide variety of surfaces to experiment with art. When kids paint on a variety of surfaces, they get plenty of chances to hone their craft. Explore the many different surfaces that you could use to introduce young artists to the world of visual expression. 

*Paper 

*Cardboard 

*Recycled cardboard 

*Watercolor paper 

*Canvas 

*Rocks 

*Wood 

6. How to Teach Children First Time Painting Lessons 

Brushstrokes are an excellent starting point for teaching toddlers how to paint. Next, they’ll learn to mix paint colors, from creating a secondary color by combining a primary and secondary (Color Theory) to painting a solid surface with lines and textures. Drawing or painting simple forms. It’s also possible to limit yourself to texture painting. Let the kids discover at their own pace while they paint. Be accepting and enthusiastic about anything that’s shown. 

7. Clean-up & Materials 

Our experts recommend putting most of your energy into instructing kids how to prepare for and tidy up from painting sessions. Once you’ve mastered this, providing extra art classes will be a breeze. Make sure that the older kids who are able to help clean up after painting projects see how it’s done. You’ll have more self-assurance to introduce art classes to your children. 

Essential Painting Materials 

If you want to unleash your inner artist inn your children, these tools are a must-have. Don’t forget to explore your choices if you’re looking to add some variety to their painting routine. 

*Kids Painting Apron – An absolute necessity if you plan on painting with your child so that no clothing gets splattered with paint. 

*Paint Brushes – To help your young ones explore the initial joys of painting.  

*A regular kitchen Sponge and Scissors – Sponge painting is a fun activity for you and your toddler to do. 

*Washable Finger Paints – For a fun paint, and quick clean afterwards. 

*A Damp Cloth or Wet Wipes – To make it easy to remove any paint that may have gotten on your child. 

*Marbles – For you and your toddler to explore Marble Painting with.  

*A Baking Dish – Is also necessary for the Marble painting, to keep the marble from rolling away.  

*Egg Carton – To help with the covering of marble in paint.  

*Newspaper – Before you and your child have some paint-splashing fun, make sure you keep it out on the table. 

*A stock of Paper – Toddlers often make mistake and need paper, so be sure to keep a pile handy 

*Paper Plates and Spoons – To avoid diluting the paint and to prevent accidental mixing. 

*Leaves – For you and your young one to engage in Leaf Painting. 

*Markers – Print your child’s name next to their artwork so they may take it with them as a keepsake.