Growth Through Line and Color – Parenting Insight into Scribbling, Drawing and Coloring

A young mind is a perceptive one, capable of wonderful imaginative things and keen to assimilating as much information as possible. In the realm of creativity, drawing, scribbling, coloring play a crucial role meant to stimulate the senses, improve muscular and wrist coordination and aid in the cognitive and emotional development of the little one. Every child expresses the desire to use crayons on paper as an unconscious method of understanding, grasping, acknowledging the surrounding environment and it is up to the parent to understand the hidden meaning and importance of these mundane seeming activities. His development is influenced by a multitude of factors and creative activities have been proven to take an important part of the process itself. Simple things to draw every now and then change everything.

Photo Courtesy to Homesthetics.net

In the first stage, the child begins to form basic simple forms that are later on merged into more complex creations. The human body is assimilated with the classical line and circle form and the fairy-tale house with smoke coming out from the chimney appears. This period is known as the associative one where the raw primordial form of conceptualization takes place at an unconscious level. Here is where the role of the parent is crucial in forming the feeling of self-confidence. Constant encouragement, positive feedback are a must for a future development in the art area. Competition is frowned upon unless used as a productive, creative method and constant comparisons between young ones should be avoided.

Colors and tones kick in the manner the world is perceived and understood by the young mind. As the child develops, the art of mimicking is more pronounced and a better grasp on the plays of light and shadow takes over. From the age of 6-7, human proportions appear, alongside perspective, scale, dimensions, moment when the creative, imaginative thinking is replaced with a more accurate, real perception of the medium. Now artistic inclinations and predispositions, talent as many would call it, is visible and professional aid must be provided for the child. Variety is also important as a parent should encourage his young one to try on different painting mediums, materials, acrylics, crayons, oil painting and so on for a better understanding of the beautiful art.

Photo Courtesy to Homesthetics.net

So how should a parent deal with the child's tendency towards drawing, scribbling and filling up every blank wall in the house?

1. Offer proper materials and create the right cheerful environment where the child will feel comfortable and constantly encouraged.
2. Never use this activity as a punishing method – it will form wrong associations in the young mind.
3. Applaud attempts, even failed ones, offer positive feedback.
4. Understand that creativity and imagination are key elements and allow the little one to depict his own stories the way he sees fit.
5. Use coloring books later on as a method of improving wrist control.
6. Provide professional help if the kid needs and desires to.
7. Make fun associations –  create a fun corner in the house where he can draw, play cheerful music in the background.
8. Offer freedom of choice in colors, forms, details.

Photo Courtesy to Homesthetics.net

In the end, we invite you to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of drawing and coloring, remembering how it feels to be a child once more.