One of the key roles of a parent is as the encourager. It is one thing to tell your child to read but it is another, and much more effective, to encourage your child to read. How do you do that? Reading to your child is one way. Setting a good example by reading yourself is another.
The same is true for encouraging your child to expand the artist within them. In school children are constantly producing vast quantities and styles of artwork. Where does all that artwork end up? Often the smaller pieces are enthroned on the refrigerator until something more urgent or livelier takes their place. Then what happens to them? Most of the time they are either discarded or placed in a location that might be explored during spring-cleaning or moving day.
I would like to suggest that you choose some of the artwork that your child is most proud of, pieces that you enjoy most, or pieces that compliment your home and adorn your walls with them. Do not just tape to them a wall, buy a nice frame and hang them. Michaels, the craft store, always has coupons that will allow you to purchase a decent frame at an affordable price. If you cannot find a frame that the artwork will fit into adequately buy a larger frame and place a large piece of colored paper behind it that will act as a border.
I recently painted out living room where we have had two professional paintings hanging on the wall for years. I had planned on returning them to their usual setting when I remembered I had two framed pieces of children’s artwork waiting to be hung in different room. I placed them on the wall and I must say they look absolutely beautiful in my living room.
Not only do I have a much more colorful and happy room but also my children feel good about themselves when they see them hanging on the wall. As for those pieces that do not get chosen, you may want to take photographs of some of your or your child’s favorites and don’t forget the outdoor chalk drawings. I recently created a photograph album on my computer for my children's artwork. The pictures are very clear and fun to look at from time to time. In this age of digital photography it is simple, does not cost anything except a little computer storage, and there are no boxes of old artwork lying around. One a side note, I did this for many of our family’s trophies. It feels good to throw things out. Simplify your life.
Displaying your children’s artwork celebrates your children’s achievements and gives them a sense of pride. It encourages them to continue to pursue art for the sake of creating artwork. I have found that as children grow older, artistic endeavors, unless it is their passion, tend to fade away. Having their artwork displayed around the house just may keep that creative candle lit a little longer and who knows what might happen as a result. Art is an activity that can be practiced for a lifetime and is a wonderful hobby. As a parent the more you can inspire your children to engage and continue the artistic craft the more well-rounded and happier they will become.
Mike McCall is the founder of Virtuous Children and How To Live A Good Life, information services and services companies dedicated to helping people live interesting, fun, meaningful and good lives and whose mission is to help improve the world we live in by raising awareness of moral behavior and improving the quality of life of our subscribers through writings such as our weekly blog, monthly newsletter, our own books and self-development courses along with recommended book and programs by other authors. Visit Virtuous Children.com or HowToLiveAGoodLife.com to find out more.