The arts have so much to offer, and especially to children who are just starting to experience the world.
There are also many choices – should they pick up piano? Should they become one of those child actors? Or should they pick up a paintbrush and create the next visual masterpiece?
There are many ways to foster a love for the wide breadth of arts in your child, allowing them to explore their creativity and path they are most interested in. A love of the arts is a major part of intellectual, emotional, and even spiritual development.
Consume as Much as You Can
Get out and see as much as possible, to start. Odds are you have many museums and galleries not far from your home. Check out town theater companies and performing arts centers.
A great way is to look at event listings in your local paper. Often, many art outings are free or of little cost.
Give your child a wide range of experiences so they can appreciate art in its many forms.
Get Them Involved
When you visit these art-centric places, see who you can talk to about possible classes your child can partake in. These can be dance classes, art classes, music lessons, voice lessons, and volunteering at a local theater.
This will not only expose them to the art form itself, but others who enjoy it and are a part of it that can help guide them.
Give Them the Right Tools
Sometimes a formal class isn’t necessary. Instead, you can provide a good environment for delving into the arts at home.
Create a space where your child can partake in whatever art form they want. This can be a corner filled with crayons, paints, pipe cleaners, paper, and glue. It might be purchasing a new (or even second-hand!) toy piano or guitar for them to play around on.
Give them access to easy-to-use tools to help grow their love and skill set for the arts.
Partake with Them
Your child may be more inclined to get involved with artistic things if you’re doing it right alongside them. Pick up a paintbrush, learn a new dance move – show them you’re also in it for the fun and that you support them.
You can also share your personal story of why you love a particular art form, and demonstrate your passion for it to them.
Don’t Focus On Talent
It would be great if your child dropped into a ballet class and was not only enamored in it, but highly skilled at it. More often than not, it doesn’t work that way.
Your child is at an age where exploring options should be encouraged. Don’t worry if they don’t immediately catch on to a new skill. If they truly love it and want to pursue it, they’ll work hard at it.
Harping on talent can suck the fun right out of doing new things. Art is ultimately about making the community, and the world beyond, a better place
