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As parents, we want to instill confidence and a love of education in our children. However, when our children have learning disabilities, that can become challenging as things can be much more difficult for them. The arts can be a bridge to connect our children both with a new sense of self-confidence and, perhaps, a better understanding of their schoolwork. Here’s how you can encourage your child to become interested in the arts.
How Art Can Help
Art, even in a scholastic setting, is different from other subjects. There are no right or wrong answers with artistic expression, and that can help our children build creative expression and self-confidence. Art can teach our children how to express themselves in ways that go beyond words. It can even aid our children in developing both verbal and literary skills, which can obviously be applied to other aspects of school. Creating art after learning a concept, or reading a chapter in a book, can help cement ideas and give new understanding that our children may not have had before. It can even help children visualize learning in an entirely new way. This success can fuel our little ones and inspire them in new ways. It shows them that they can learn, just in different ways from other students.
Do It, Too
Your child may have a negative association with trying new things, so it’s a good idea to be involved with the art, especially at first. Ask your child what they might have fun experimenting with, and do it with them. If they are starting art in school, talk to them about what they are doing, and give them support when they need it. You can sit down with your little one and guide them through some projects together after school or on weekends. It may be messy, but exploring new things can be fun and may instill a love of art in your child.
Make Them an Art Space
From finger painting to clay sculpting, art can make a mess. You want your child to feel free and at ease when creating their art, not worried about staining a table or dropping something on the carpet. You will want things that are easy to clean in here, if only for your own peace of mind. Have aprons or clothes designated for art available, and consider dedicating part of a wall to display. You could even make a shelf or two yourself to allow your child to put their favorites up, or anything they want as inspiration. After all, cultivating a sense of self-confidence and pride in your child’s work is going to be so important to them now and later in life. Allow your child to express themselves, and help them to find confidence in trying new things by giving them their own space.
Cultivating a Hobby
A hobby can be a great way to let your child process and express their emotions while simultaneously practicing creativity. Not only can this help them develop in many ways, having a healthy outlet for emotion can prevent negative habits from developing later on such as turning to drugs or alcohol. Encourage your child to develop hobbies by having some of your own and setting a good example they can follow. It may seem hard at first, but another way to encourage them to develop a hobby is to curtail television and computer time. This way, they keep themselves active in positive ways.
There are plenty of methods you can use to help your child develop artistically. Find what art form speaks to them most, and help them accomplish their goals by creating a good workspace and providing gentle encouragement along the way. This can help your child accrue useful skills and help their confidence blossom, both in school and at home.