Chapters
- How does creativity help a child's development?
- How do I get my child interested in arts?
- What arts and crafts can we do together?
Find out how arts and crafts ensures children's academic and personal success. With easy tips on how to get kids creative. 
How does creativity help a child's development?
- Freedom to be yourself
Unlike other academic subjects, in art there is no right or wrong.
Children can paint the sky pink and the ground blue – with art they’re free to express themselves however they want. “Art gives kids freedom to be themselves” says London-based Saskia Joss; a private integrative arts therapist and mother.
Expert Tip : “Art is also the place where parents don’t have to control what kids do,” says Joss. “Art is never the reason for parents having to say no.”
Being creative can be very liberating for children. They can experience a freewheeling happiness when engaging with crafts. 😀
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Improving the relationship with the body
For kids that might be restless, anxious or have ADHD, art allows them to sit peacefully with their body and finish a task.
Expert Tip : “When engaging in art the body is not anxious about the outcome of the activity,” says Joss. “So the body knows it is safe and can be grounded in the present moment.”
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Therapeutic for the mind
Art lets us do something we love. So, much like adults, art is therapeutic for childrens’ mental health too.
For children, art can be especially beneficial as an emotional release. Children often don’t know what has upset them – expressing themselves through art can be both cathartic and calming.
Expert Tip : “For kids, telling their fears to a face [like parents and teachers] can make them feel very judged,” says Joss. “Whereas art feels less directive and allows their emotional release.”
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Builds left-brain skills
Arts provide children with choice. They’re free to make their own decisions when they get creative, which means they’ll feel confident to have their own opinion. 💪
Joss says that art not only builds creativity in children but also left-brain skills like problem solving, organizational skills and motor skills. So art and the play that follows helps children learn.
All of which are essential for academic progress and career success.
How do I get my child interested in arts?
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Give freedom
Kids have to follow rules everywhere. So make art the one place where they can break free! ✊
Joss advises parents not to set too many parameters with art – avoid telling kids what they should and shouldn’t make. Even stay away from criticism and just appreciate their creativity instead of having expectations met.
Expert Tip : “It’s hard not to correct as parents but art is the way to stop being critical,” says Joss. “Moreover, keeping a love for being unique is more healthy!”
Also, if you can give children space in art they will be able to extend it in other more crucial spaces like sexuality and body image.
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Go to art galleries and museums
Another way to get children interested in art is to expose them to diverse forms of it and make it interactive!
Why not try a trip to an art gallery or museum? Many of the larger museums in the UK are free of charge and make for a great family day out. Joss says you needn’t be an expert in art history to undertake these activities. They can always refer to the displays to learn about art with their children.
Or just engage in simple questions about art:
- What do you feel about this painting ?
- Who would you like to be in this painting?
- What do you think the artist is trying to convey through this painting?
To try at home: pick an artist of the month, with simple print outs of their work that your children can observe and even imitate! 🎨
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Make time for art
Expert Tip : “Make time for art in children's’ schedules,” says Joss. “This cultural currency is always going to be helpful for them.”
Designate an “art evening” in the week, where all family members come together to get creative.
The artwork can go up on the walls around the house! This way, you’ll give value to art just like you would to a good test result.
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Willingness to be messy
If you’re going to stress about kids getting messy during creative play, then the purpose of enriching children through art will be lost. 🤯
Joss suggests some ways to be stress-free while giving kids the gift of art :
- Draw on the shower wall so it can be washed almost immediately after the kids have finished.
- Let children do art in the park so you aren’t worried about the sofas getting paint all over them. Or build a work pod for kids where they can create the mess.
- If you’re worried about mess, choose an art medium that’s a little less chaotic; maybe try using clay (less messier) over paint.
- Look for an art class in the neighbourhood, so kids can get messy there and all you have to do is clean them up at home.
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Be encouraging
Some kids might not be great at art and will struggle to like it as a result. It’s important to let your little one know that there are no rules in art and that practice makes perfect!
Check out some YouTuber art tutorials with your kids to help them improve their skills. 👊
What arts and crafts can we do together?
The internet is bursting with art activities you can do together with your children. Though Joss suggests for starters to keep it simple.
All kids need is easy and cheap supplies like paper, paint, crayons and pencils to fall in love with art!
At Gostudent we want parents to encourage students to engage in arts and crafts. So leave the academic support to us and book a trial session with one of our tutors here! 🚀 
