Creative arts have been shown to have a whole host of developmental benefits to children. There are plenty of fun ways to encourage creativity in youngsters. These include hands-on craft activities such as sculpting out of cardboard and glue, using playdough and creating things out of clay. Drawing, meanwhile, has been shown to be a very effective way of building self-esteem and confidence in children. It is particularly important to nurture these traits from a very early age, in order to help children’s development and wellbeing as much as possible, as well as their ability to do themselves justice at school and beyond. It is therefore important to give children lots of opportunities to draw as much as possible.
Using nature as artistic inspiration
Art and nature make for a very powerful combination. In addition to boosting memory, mood and cognitive performance, nature has been shown to improve creativity. With this in mind, it is worth encouraging children to draw something based on nature. This could be inspired by pictures or, better yet, things they see out and about in the great outdoors. Those based in South Dakota are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding sources of natural beauty for inspiration. Wherever you are though, being outdoors can help inspire artistic creativity. What is more, the more children are able to draw, they more likely they are to grow in confidence in their own creative ability.
Drawing as a form of self-expression
Something that makes drawing a particularly powerful tool is the chance it offers people to express themselves. This is especially important for those who struggle to express in words something that is on their minds. Images, colors, shapes and patterns can be used to represent emotions and thoughts, transcending the limitations of spoken language and enabling people to be understood or respected without the need for words. For certain children - for example, those lacking social confidence or children who are from another country or have moved school - drawing might be liberating on many different levels.
Beneficial to draw independently and in groups
One advantage of drawing is its versatility. It can be enjoyed privately while also being something that friends and classmates may do together. For many, the very nature of drawing - that is, having something to focus your attention on - can alleviate and nervousness or anxiety and make it easier to talk to others. This, in turn, may give children the confidence to forge new friendships more easily. What is more, children can experience the reward of watching their own creation come to life on the page, hopefully help them feel more confident in the process.
Drawing is important for children and adults alike. It is about more than just doodling on a page or two. Like many forms of creative art, drawing encourages children to express themselves in a way that isn’t bound by rules or expectations. By giving children regular opportunities to draw and share their art if they would like to, they are more likely to feel empowered, valued and confident.