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Artsy Kids
The Art of Teaching Art to Children
By Nancy Beal and Gloria Bley Miller
Instead of quickly declaring, "Oh, that's beautiful," pay attention to what your child is actually doing, then describe one thing you observe. For example, you might say, "I see you used three red patterned papers for your collage." Or, "I see that all the blue papers are different in their shapes."
Always place your emphasis on a positive aspect of the work and avoid being critical, such as stating, "Well, this is not such a good part." That can be defeating to a child who is involved with quite another aspect of the work. Focus on what is actually on the paper, not on your own concept of the work, your own agenda. If you start with what you want to see, your child may never meet your requirements and there can be disappointment all around. Some parents will talk about what their child hasn't really done yet. Stay away from referring to what is not on the paper, what the child didn't do. Avoid comments such as, "Well, you could put something up there in the upper left-hand corner."
Some parents are always wishing their children could come up with art that has a better look to it. They wonder how the kids could get somewhere else in their work. Try not to make demands that the children cannot meet. If you suggest that something may be lacking in the work, your child won't be sure of what you want her to do. She may in fact feel she is letting you down. I believe that if you talk to kids about where they are in their work, they may et there. This happens when they're feeling good about what they're doing. Children who are feeling good are generally ready to move on.