How to encourage your kids to draw and paint?

Kids usually scribble and draw, being their curious selves. But then where does the problem lie? Their doodling is limited to random patterns on walls and themselves. While it is fun and exciting for them, your concerns about making them interested in drawing take efforts.

Their attention span is low, and this acts as a hindrance. Drawing induces creativity and has plenty of benefits that help in your child's growth. Hence, encourage them towards it and give them a drawing kit for kids. Let us look at some of the ways to so: 

Part of playtime: If you make it a part of their routine, they will likely progress gradually. Make sure to incorporate it in a fun way. Avoid making them feel as if it is a learning procedure. Including during their playtime enables you to do that.

Avoid controlling: Art is a natural process. Limiting it by making corrections and instructions loses its purpose. Kids might draw in their way, and most of it would not make sense. However, correcting them every step of the way to perfect it only hampers their freedom. Therefore, try to stay by their side and talk to them about what they do instead of rectifying them.

Observe: It is an excellent opportunity to teach them while they draw. You do this by observing their work and providing feedback. Complimenting by saying, "it is pretty" does not help them. Try to review their drawing and teach them things related to it. For instance, you can talk about the colours they use or the shapes they draw, etc. 

Introduce exciting materials: It is fine to start with crayons and pencils. But as they grow, try including other options that bring change and excitement. Invent different ways of painting through sketching, brushes, hands, cotton, etc. You do this by experimenting with their art supplies like kids paint set, slates, colouring book, etc. 

Get involved: Observing kids while they draw is an excellent method. But getting involved and drawing with them is even better. Therefore, it is best to get your hands dirty, even if you are not good. You can draw absolutely anything, and this encourages your child to draw by observing. It also enables you to train them to try new things by holding their hand.

Ask questions: Being asked about their scribbles and patterns lets kids review their work. They start to make sense of the things they draw. This results in improved imagination and creativity. You can ask them questions like, what does the drawing mean? Who or what are they drawing? Ask them about the attributes included.

Age-appropriate: It is essential to consider your child's age for their art activities and materials. It, thereby, avoids hazards and gives them things they can understand. For example, you can introduce safe sketch pens, crayons to one to three-year-olds. For kids older than that, introduce clay games, paint sets, etc.