As adults, it is easy to look back on our childhood and think, “when I was a kid, I could just pick up a piece of paper and draw!” It can be frustrating when our own children show little interest in drawing. Especially when you’re dreaming of activities that may occupy your child long enough for you to get something done. I actually would sit in my room for hours and draw as a child, but I am now an art teacher and a true homebody, so that makes sense. Not every kid is like that obviously. 😂 My older sister being in her room away from people was torture for her, for example. So, how can you encourage your child to draw?
As my own daughter enters the toddler years, I am always looking for ways to deepen her interest in mark-making, because I have visions of us making art together all-day every-day in the future. 😬 Her not enjoying drawing does not work for me. 🤣 Drawing is honestly really similar to sports, the more you practice the easier and more second-nature it becomes. In this post I share some practical tips to help encourage your child to draw based on my experience as an art educator. All of the photos in this post are of past students of mine in some capacity. Eventually, when you have helped cultivate this love for drawing, you won’t have to be so hands-on!
Make it inviting
If someone handed you a blank piece of paper and a box of broken crayons and said, “have fun!” would you? I personally would start sweating. Even as an art educator, a blank canvas can still give me the heebie-jeebies! Even though children are very creative and generally not as self-conscious as adults, we all do well with a little direction! Those hours I spent in my room drawing were usually trying to replicate something I was seeing in real-life. Instead of expecting your child to draw something from thin air, create inviting opportunities for them to draw!
Now before you read these ideas, I do want to suggest that if you have a child of 3+ years, take them to pick out or help them create their own sketchbook. Having a safe space that is uniquely theirs and where many of their drawings can live may encourage your child to draw (also you may have less things to obligingly hang on your fridge this way). In addition, consider what materials you offer them and how they are offered. Do you hand them a tupperware full of broken crayons and a blank sheet of paper? Try to make it a little easier and more exciting for them, with better quality materials that are presented in a beautiful (or at the very least, organized, way).
Here are some ideas for drawing invitations you can easily set-up for you child:
- Go on a flower/leaf hunt and then study and draw said flowers and leaves
- Self up a mirror and draw a self-portrait, either on paper or by tracing their face with a dry erase marker on the mirror
- Draw map for car racing with markers
- Study or trace animal figurines with color pencils
- Make body tracings with chalk or large butcher paper rolls
Ask Engaging Questions
If you have the time, sit with your child while they draw and ask them engaging questions about their work, or comment objectively on what you see. By engaging, I pretty much mean anything that does not require a yes or no answer from them. Instead of, “is that a cat” ask, “can you tell me about this character?” or, “what is the cat doing?” By objective I mean you should not assume you know what they are drawing, and instead comment only on what you know is happening. “You’re making a lot of marks with the green crayon” or “I can see three purple triangles in your drawing.” They may or may not want to respond to your questions or comments, but hopefully you will find that this attention encourages them to continue drawing and creating their own story.
In my opinion, most of the magic of drawing at a young age happens in the process, not the final product. If you only look at a child’s finished drawing, you may never know all of the imaginative things they were thinking as they drew. The end result might look like a page of scribbles, but you may have missed some really creative and beautiful moments while your child was creating it!
The same is true if your child brings you a drawing to show off. Instead of congratulating them or simply telling them you love it, ask them questions about it! Give them a chance to share what they were thinking while they created the drawing. There is probably a great story to be unleashed and listening to it may encourage your child to create future stories!
Make it playful
When I taught at an arts-based preschool, I noticed that a lot of art-making occurred during play. I would find children frantically running to the art supplies to make super hero bangles and night-vision goggles and all sorts of artful trinkets for play. If your child seems to enjoy play more than art-making, consider how you can incorporate drawing into their play. Some ideas you can suggest to your child are listed below:
- Pieces/Character to use in block play
- Food for a play kitchen
- Paper accessories for dress-up play
- A sidewalk obstacle course (check out my sister’s blog post on this, here)
Mix it Up
Think about different surfaces and materials your child can use to draw. Maybe the standard paper and pencil just isn’t doing it for them! There are tons of fun drawing materials out there such as watercolor crayons, gel-crayons, markers, ink and brush, and pens!
Try these news ways of mark-making:
- Hang a paper roll on the wall so your child can try stand and draw
- Create a fort under the table for drawing in sketchbooks
- Draw/paint with water outside on concrete
- Study leaves or flowers on a light table and make tracings or drawings
- Place paper under a chair for your child to draw while laying down and looking up (may have to attach drawing tool to a stick)
Create meaningful opportunities
After your child has started to feel some success drawing, you can begin to ask for your child’s help and expertise as a means to encourage them to keep drawing. Children love to have purpose and responsibility. Here are some ideas for drawing tasks you can ask for help with.
Ask for help creating:
- A menu board for dinner
- Labels for playroom toys and storage
- Room labels or signs
- Plant labels on popsicle sticks
- Window art for holidays seasons with these crayons or paint markers
- A letter to a loved one that includes a drawing of a special memory or place they want to share
- Start a gratitude journal with pictures
Want more ideas on how to make art with your littles?
Check out my other art education posts here, or sign up for my art education email list here!
