What Really Happens When Your Child Learns to how to Paint

As a father of two boys and grandfather of five, I have first-hand experience of how much kids love being messy. Many children love to finger paint and to colour in pre-designed colouring books, but do you know what is really happening when your child is learning to paint?  Painting is a hobby that your child can undertake that will bring him hours of happiness, satisfaction, and success.  If you have a special needs child or a child that is at risk in his or her academic performance, teaching them to how to paint can be just what the doctor ordered to improve social, mental, and physical well-being.

Painting is a fun way for your child to learn, and also an excellent method of reaching their creative inner self. There are many other reasons that painting is beneficial for your child so let’s explore what really happens once the paint is ready for the canvas.

Providing your child with art materials that are age appropriate is an important first step toward his or her success with painting

1. Painting will help your child’s right brain capabilities develop efficiently. The school environment works with your child’s left brain which produces logical and analytical thinking.  His or her basic core classes will stimulate this area of learning. It is also equally important that their right-brained learning is stimulated. This is the creative side of the brain; the messy finger painting helps strengthen creativity and stimulates lateral thinking.  When your child develops this area of his or her brain, the connection between the right and left parts begins to become stronger and work more efficiently.  By having your child participate in art activities, they’ll be heading towards reaching the full capability of their brain power.
2. Art helps your child express himself deeply and more thoughtfully.  Even young children can express their thoughts and feelings without words. Encouraging young children can be better aided when they use art as a medium for communication.  He or she will become more creative in expression and have an open mind about things that surround and happen around him. They may not be the next Leonardo or Michelangelo, but at least they’ll have lots of fun on their journey through art.
3. Your child’s critical-thinking abilities will develop.  When faced with a blank canvas and a plethora of colours, your child will have to decide which ones to use, how to combine them, and what works best in his design.  This gives him a feeling of independence and increases his self-confidence. As a parent or grandparent, you can help them along their way with little input. Asking them to paint a picture of a flower, a cat or a dog will make them think about shape and texture. Once they have done what you asked, remind them that cats and dogs love playing on grass, so perhaps some green grass in the picture might be good.
4. With art projects, your child can experience success.  Your child may not be a star in sports or academia but if he can express himself and have success in art, he’ll learn to overcome his challenges and work through difficulties effectively.
5. Art should be learned with others to promote teamwork and camaraderie.  Part of the success of any undertaking is learning to work with others.  If he learns to how to paint in a class, he’ll find support from his classmates, experience new social skills, and discover a hobby that he can take with him wherever he goes.

Finding the right instructor is paramount to the success your child will have and getting him quality art materials to use is also very important.  Be sure to get items that are age appropriate so that their hand size will successfully hold the brushes laden with paints.

By opening the door to this new and exciting hobby for your child, you’ll be expanding his brain power, helping him to learn social skills, and teaching him self-confidence that is sure to help him or her overcome any type of adversity they may encounter. The more you make learning fun for them the better able are they to take in more from each session. Children learn through play, and of course play should always be fun for all.