I was recently asked a really interesting question on Instagram; how to encourage my 14 year old who loves to sketch and paint (and is good). I would start with making sure your child understands that they have a voice. For a long time I was taught that writing was communication and art was something else. A hobby, a doodle, something to do when you weren’t XYZ.
I didn’t truly understand how much respect visual communication deserves until I was about 5 years into my corporate telecommunications career. Sure, the written word is important but visuals really get a specific message across. Be it graphs, infographics, what have you. I would always find myself in a position of learning new information, making it visual in a way that worked for me and then relaying that information to others around me when asked. Nine times out of ten I became a subject matter expert and I was no longer doing the same job as others, I was a resource for my peers and upper management.
I share this to say, once your child understands that what they have to say matters and that they have a great way of communicating visually, they should do it more. Hopefully they see that value too and start expressing it more, drawing more and creating more. It’s a mindset shift and they may think their gift is not that special, can’t see the possibilities, etc until you show them this perspective.
That’s how I encourage my kids. I hope that helps you with encouraging yours!
If you have any questions for future posts, leave them down below! :) I’m challenging myself to blog Monday through Friday for the entire month, pray for me. hahha
To see more of what I create check out my shop! I have cute and joyful prints, coloring books, watercolor/art courses and planners.
Interested in painting too? I have a watercolor guide with videos here! I share tips, tricks I wish I knew when I started painting.
xo,
Erika