People create art for a variety of reasons, including to express themselves, to exhibit publicly, or to bring in an income. But why should children learn to draw, especially at a time when the focus of many educators is moving back to the basics – reading, writing, and math?
Of course, studying art helps some students find a hidden ability and develop their special talent. It also helps them develop their fine motor skills. But beyond that, there are two main reasons why I encourage children to learn to draw.
The Joy of Creating
Art helps children discover the joy of creating. We live in an age of technology, where many kids spend large amounts of time in front of computers, televisions, or video games. Their tendency is to sit and watch. However, we were created to create, and today, especially, young people need opportunities to stimulate their imaginations.
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
There’s nothing quite like the feeling a child gets when they can say, “Look what I did!” or “I can draw that!” I’ve watched students and my own children gain a sense of accomplishment as they step back and see what they’ve created.
So, how can you get your student involved in art? The obvious answer is art lessons, but if time or finances are limited, don’t worry! As you can see from my story, there are lots of other ways to learn these days.
And while your child explores art, you might discover reasons to start drawing yourself! Maybe you simply love to draw or paint. I can spend hours working on a piece and feel completely fulfilled. Perhaps you enjoy sharing your artwork with others – giving drawings and paintings as personal, meaningful gifts..
A Christian Perspective on Art
As a Christian, I’ve found yet another reason to learn to draw, explained by Dr. Joel Hunter, senior pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed in central Florida. I’ve received permission by Dr. Hunter to include portions of the sermon on this site, and I invite you to read A Christian View of Art.
Photo by Anita Peppers