History provides us with great examples of artwork; magnificent works are commonly known among us today. Examples include Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, and The Scream by Edvard Munch. Moreover, contemporary artists continue to produce wonderful artworks such as Yuh’s Aurora Lights. Interestingly, modern research suggests that creating art through drawing reduces stress and anxiety. Indeed, according to Holley Tiret at Michigan State University MSU Extension art therapy has been shown to alleviate multiple issues. One of the benefits of art therapy is that it has been shown to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety in cancer patients. It has also been shown to decrease depression in those suffering from Parkinson’s.1 Taking art’s popularity into account, as well as the mental benefits, art’s relevance for children is abundantly clear. Furthermore, parents should explore ways in which they can encourage their children to pursue art and facilitate their appreciation of it.
The Question
First, we start with a question. How can parents encourage their children to create art? To answer this question, I reached out to university professors, as well as art teachers serving in K-12 schools. As it turns out, there are a variety of ways to do so. According to Vanessa Hayes-Quintana, an Art Educator at Joilet Learning Center of Cherry Creek Schools, there are several methods. These methods involve providing art supplies, attending art shows, and exposing children to multiple genres of music. Additional methods include attending live music events and participating in curricular and extracurricular activities such as art and music classes.
1. Provide Plenty of Art Supplies
Although obvious, providing art supplies such as crayons, colored pencils, paint, etc. to your children plays an important role in sparking an interest of art in your children. By providing them with such supplies, they are consistently exposed to making art and giving them the opportunity to do so only solidifies a sense of appreciation of art.
2. Attend Art Exhibitions (Art Shows)
A second method is to take your children to art exhibitions (art shows). An art exhibition is “an exhibition of works of art such as pictures.” Taking your children to such events exposes them to a variety of paintings, drawings, sculptures, etc. Showing them the work of others can serve as inspiration to begin producing their own artwork. Moreover, it exposes them to differing techniques, educating them on a variety of approaches to producing works.
3. Develop an Appreciation for Several Musical Genres
Alongside the sheer joy of music is exposing your children to multiple genres of music. Rather if it is Jazz, Pop, etc., allowing them to interact with different genres will create appreciation for various forms of art. Moreover, according to a study done by Patrick Wong, exposure to various musical genres has been shown to “. . . engage a larger network of the brain when you listen to the two kinds of music.”2 However, be sure that the music you choose is appropriate and that you don’t expose them to negative ideas.
4. Attend Live Music Events
Besides exposing your children to different styles of music, taking them to live music events is a great way to encourage the pursuit of art. This includes live concerts. Not only will they learn to appreciate music, but also observe the intensity and passion musical artists have for their works. On a side note, these events, attended by numerous concert-goers, allow children to be exposed to the social aspect of concerts.
5. Encourage Participation in Traditional & Extracurricular Classes
Moreover, it is a good idea, while your child is participating in art classes at their school, to enroll them in extracurricular classes to refine their skills. Options include but definitely are not limited to classes in fine arts at art centers or private art schools, drama classes at local theatre/drama clubs, and vocal/instrumental lessons through private tutors.
1Holley Tirett – The benefits art therapy can have on mental and physical health Michigan State University MSU Extension
2Public Radio International – Research shows listening to different musical genres leaves lasting impact on brain Michigan State University MSU Extension