How to Discuss a Child's Artwork

 The innate artistic enthusiasm in most young children is thrilling---so wonderful to witness, so critical to encourage. I remember very well my first art show when, at about 4 or 5 years of age, I finger painted page after page of what I viewed as “fine paintings” of Egyptian mummies. Proud of my efforts, I then taped them to the tile walls in my family’s kitchen and invited my grandparents to view the exhibition. Of course, they loved it! (They were my doting grandparents, after all!). They even purchased a few, netting me a whopping 25 cents and feeding my desire to become “a real artist.” A career was launched.

Yet, how many budding artists have been snapped off at the stem because of an adult’s remark? Resilient as we may think they are, children’s feelings about what they create are delicate. Sitting through a few off-notes in a child’s recital can foster a great musician, but point out every missed note and that promising musician may be permanently squashed, closed up inside forever.

I’m not saying that every or any creative attempt should be praised. Nor do I suggest that criticism is a bad thing. But there is a way to properly talk with a young child about his/her creative expressions:

“What is that supposed to be?”

 I sincerely hope that these words NEVER come out of an adult’s mouth!! Rather, when looking at a child’s artwork, the adult should say, “Tell me about your art.” This allows the child to open up, to deliver the story about how the work was first imagined, how the piece was made, how the child perceives his/her work. Remember, artwork does not always have to be representational or realistic. And often what a child sees in his/her mind is not what is reflected on the paper.

If things are going well in the conversation, continue your questions:

“Why did you choose these materials?”                  

 “Why did you choose that subject?”

“What is your favorite part in the painting/sculpture?”

Engage in discussion based on the child’s responses to your questions. Who wouldn’t love to know what Michelangelo thought about art as a child? Pablo Picasso is credited with saying, "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." Here is your chance to learn firsthand what a young creative genius thinks!

The important thing is to avoid suggesting that a work of art is either good or not good. (After all, who should judge what is “good?” But that’s a discussion for another time….). Working with young artists over the years, I see that showing their finished works can result in a real sense of pride and accomplishment, and confidence to create more. I also see that showing those works generates nervousness, just as it does in adult artists. To express one's self creatively is to take a chance, to open up to criticism from others.

Encourage the artistic expression; withhold judgement about the quality. The time for such judging comes soon enough along the artistic path and, hopefully by that time, the child will feel confident enough to avoid scarring his/her creativity.

And display your child’s artwork, even if just for a short time. It's often surprising to realize that there may be difficult to discern a child's work from a professional work of art. A nice frame that allows for quick change of artwork is perfect. A shelf for the exclusive display of art encourages the creation of more works. And more works equal more practice, which naturally leads to better artwork.