It is natural –and beneficial – for children to start drawing as soon as they pick up a pencil. It develops motor skills and provides knowledge of the world around them. As with other skills, drawing requires learning and practice.
There are many reasons why kids stop drawing, but the biggest one is boredom. Leaving a kid to sit and draw with some crayons and paper usually ends with a five-minute drawing of a tree to put on a refrigerator next to 15 others. So, what can you do? There are plenty of easy drawing tutorials for kids for example; how to draw hands, a cat, a house, etc.
Many parents tend to give up when their kids say they don’t want to draw because they think they don’t have the skills. But if you’d like time for a nice quiet cup of coffee while your kids are drawing, here are ten steps to get them started.
Step One: Shades and Colors
Each day kids see and learn new things and objects. It is very important for them to understand the variety of shapes and materials. These is called the basics, since all objects are formed from the figures they learn. Once they know them, a simple tree can become a bird hotel, or a rhombus can become a canoe.
There are millions of colors out there. Mixing them to learn how they are formed and playing with them on paper can show kids the full extent of their power. Let them color that tree in purple or the sea in green and see their imagination grow.
You may even find free Pokemon coloring pages online and let them color Pikachu or Eevee for even more fun. Just remember to let them be creative and not restrict their choices.
Step Two: Explore the Equipment
Using crayons and pencils with coloring books won’t get you far. Experimenting with markers, paint, chalk, watercolors, sprays, and even food paint provides knowledge in structure, behavior, and application of different textures. This way, they can smell and touch new materials.
It is equally important to use different drawing kits. Let your kids use their fingers or body to draw if they like getting messy. Feel free to use molds and sponges and let the kids see what prints they leave behind. With this technique, they realize how easy it can be to use those shapes to add new textures or easily fill in large swaths of space.
Step Three: Surroundings
Providing different surroundings can provide new opportunities for movement and inspiration. Drawing during kids’ outdoor games can make learning and practicing exercise even more fun.
It is important to explore all the variety of natural surfaces. Colors behave differently on concrete, canvas, cloth, and wood. Painting over them and even washing them away after drawing can be fun.
Step Four: Competition
Competition is a healthy way of stimulating their imagination. Make a bet with your kids who can draw faster or give them your drawing as an assignment to see who can most closely mimic it. Drawing the best letters for family members motivates them to master their letters and feel more accomplished.
Step Five: It’s About the Journey
Make sure your kids are encouraged to draw their way. Making suggestions can easily pull them away from proudly presenting their work. Avoid phrases like: “…stay within the lines,” “…that is too much color”, or “the sky should be blue.” It makes them feel like they aren’t good at it, and diminishes their imagination and autonomy.
Step Six: Use Technology
In today’s society, limiting children from technology is a challenging task–but you can make the most of their screen time with educational opportunities. Many drawing apps and websites like Tuxpaint and Draw With Carl are meant for children. These apps can be an excellent supplement for all the paper and crayons and provide great lessons on using completely different dimensions.
Step Seven: Assign and Guide
If they’re lacking inspiration, you can always give your kids an assignment. Using simple objects containing different shapes and lines and something surrounding them is essential. Drawing hands is a perfect example.
Hands can be very different from person to person: male and female, small and large, young and old. They can also be drawn in different dimensions containing bone and muscle. To sketch a hand, you can guide your kids to start with simple shapes like squares and rectangles and then smooth with skin lines. It‘s also fun to play with colors and textures by adding jewelry or nail polish.
Step Eight: Sketchbooks
Finally, sketchbooks apps have shown themselves as one of the best ways to teach kids to draw. You will find all the features you need in digital sketchbooks, including brushes, guides, rulers, and stroke tools. They can practice their artistic freedom and also precision.
Drawings and colors can be built up and explored using layers with a full complement of blend modes. It has so much content and is a great way to practice their drawing and technological skills. Sketchbooks also save all their work to see your kid’s progress over time.
A child’s ability to draw helps them develop logical or abstract thinking at an early age, whether at home or school. Drawing helps them prepare for complex concepts in the future. Make yourself a cup of coffee, give your kids a variety of drawing materials and watch the magic happen.
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