10 Secrets to Boosting Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Art
Art can be a powerful tool in boosting your child’s self-esteem. It is a creative outlet that allows them to express themselves, build confidence, and develop their problem-solving skills.
Here are ten tips to help your child build self-esteem through art:
ONE – Step Out of the Box
“A-R-T is fun whatever the weather!”
Encourage your child to think creatively and take risks with their artwork. Provide a safe environment for them to explore new ideas, experiment with different materials and techniques, and express themselves.
“Art is not what you see,
but what you make others see”
~ Degas
TWO – Share Your Encouragement
Ellie’s Superhero Collage – from Issue 41!
Offer words of encouragement to your child whenever possible. Let them know that you appreciate the effort they put into their artwork, even if the final result isn’t exactly what they had in mind.
“Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up”
~ Pablo Picasso
THREE – Provide Opportunities for Mastery
“I’m ready to creates a masterpiece!”
Give your child the chance to master a skill or technique. Find classes to take together, watch tutorials, read books, and take trips to art galleries. This will help your child gain confidence in their abilities.
“If people only knew how hard I work to gain my mastery.
It wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.”
~ Michelangelo
FOUR – Encourage Expression
Let your child express themselves through their artwork. Give them the freedom to choose the colors, materials, and techniques they want to use for each project.
“If I create from the heart, nearly everything works;
if from the head, almost nothing.”
~ Marc Chagall
FIVE – Reframe Criticism
Help your child develop the ability to learn from mistakes and criticism. When they receive criticism, focus on the process rather than the end result. Encourage them to find solutions and be open to new ideas.
“The Achilles heel of an artist
lies in the hope that his/her art is good.”
~ Kapil Gupta
SIX – Celebrate Accomplishments
“Ayah, age 9, with her beautiful storm painting!”
Recognize and celebrate your child’s accomplishments. Praise them for their artwork and applaud their efforts.
“You must have chaos within you
to give birth to a dancing star.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
SEVEN – Teach Them the Basics
Teach your child basic techniques and skills that they can build upon. Explain the color wheel, texture techniques, and different materials they can use.
“Learn the rules like a pro,
so you can break them like an artist.”
~ Pablo Picasso
EIGHT – Share YOUR Art
Share your artwork with your child. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, creating art together can build a bond between you and your child.
“I started painting as a hobby when I was little.
I didn’t know I had any talent.
I believe talent is just a pursued interest.
Anybody can do what I do.”
~ Bob Ross
NINE – Give Them Space
Allow your child to work without interference. Give them the space to explore and experiment without feeling pressure to produce a perfect piece.
“The urge to draw must be quite deep within us,
because children love to do it.”
~ David Hockney
TEN – Foster the Process
Art is about the journey, not the destination. Encourage your child to focus on the process of creation and the joy of expressing themselves through their artwork.
“When I paint, I never think of selling.
People fail to understand that we paint
in order to experiment and to develop ourselves
as we strive for greater heights.”
~ Edvard Munch
6-year-old Anay with his cafe art featured in Brilliant Brainz magazine
The Budding Artist
By following these tips, your child can begin to learn to manage their emotions in a healthy and productive way, develop healthy relationships, reduce stress, and stay positive even when facing difficult challenges. With practice, your child will become more aware of their emotional triggers and be able to self-regulate their emotions, allowing them to live a happier, healthier life.
Artist & art project from issue 2
Be sure to grab a subscription for your budding artist to BRILLIANT BRAINZ magazine, the creative learning and wellbeing magazine for kids aged 6 to 12 years of age! Every month we feature a different celebrated artist or artistic style, and challenge your child with an art project that emulates that artist or style of art. Be sure to plunder the back issues catalogue, and all the artists we’ve already featured, via the SHOP link above!