![\"Child](\"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dollarphotoclub_207502291.jpg\")
<\/p>\nI\u2019ll never forget the time I overheard a teacher say to their student, \u201cYou\u2019re using too much green. Why don\u2019t you use another color?\u201d I didn\u2019t say anything at the time, but I kept thinking to myself \u201cToo much green? Is there such a thing as too much green?\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to that time, I hadn\u2019t given much thought to how I spoke to my students about their art. As an artful minded person, it\u2019s easy for me to embrace and encourage creativity. To be honest, I\u2019m often envious and inspired by the creativity children display. They\u2019re typically uninhibited when it comes to their art, which is something the majority of us have lost by the time we are adults. As Pablo Picasso wisely said, \u201cEvery child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.\u201d<\/p>\n
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As adults, it\u2019s natural to want to project our own ideas and beliefs onto children. We are their teachers, after all. I doubt that teacher was trying to criticize her student\u2019s art. In fact, I would guess she simply wanted him to explore other colors beyond green, but how we respond to a child\u2019s artwork is important.<\/strong> We should choose our words thoughtfully and, most importantly, avoid judgement.<\/p>\n So, how do we do this?<\/p>\n Well, we start by simply commenting on what we see. \u201cI see you\u2019ve started by making little red and green polk-a-dots on your paper.\u201d Keep your comments non judgmental and specific. Don’t assume a child has made something, unless you are certain.<\/p>\n We can also comment on the way the child is making the art, rather than the art itself \u201cLook at how you\u2019re moving your brush slowly and carefully as you paint!\u201d. Use your comments as an opportunity to give them the vocabulary words they may not have acquired yet. For example, you may tell a pre-schooler, \u201cYou\u2019ve made a triangle here. That\u2019s a great shape for the roof.\u201d or \u201cI see lots lot tiny lines on the bottom of your page. That gives your painting such great texture.\u201d<\/p>\n The more you describe what they\u2019re doing with excitement and without judgement, the more the child will become confident and excited, feeling free to continue on their creative path.<\/p>\n As the child describes their art to you, ask them questions about their subject. For example, if a child has drawn a monkey, you could ask the artist the following questions:<\/p>\n Child: \u201cLook, I made a monkey.\u201d Beginning a narrative, such as the one above, can help the artist recall details they may not have thought of prior to the conversation. These details may later be reflected in their artwork. In addition to helping them recall details, a conversation could help them to evaluate their own work, allowing them to make any adjustments they feel necessary, without influencing their artistic choices or making suggestions yourself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nTeacher: \u201cHave you seen a monkey before?\u201d
\nChild: \u201cYes, I saw one at the zoo.\u201d
\nTeacher: \u201cWho took you to the zoo?\u201d
\nChild: \u201cMy parents. My cousin came with us, too.\u201d
\nTeacher: \u201cWhat were the monkeys doing when you saw them?\u201d
\nChild: \u201cI remember some were sleeping, but two of them were cleaning each other\u2019s fur and eating the bugs they found.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Kristina](\"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kristina-Hill-241x3001.jpg\")
About the Author: Kristina is a professional photographer and art educator living and working in New Jersey. She is also the mother to a one year old girl who challenges her creativity, daily.<\/p>\n