Pay someone to do it or I do it

[Anonymous]

I have been busy and not drawing/painting, but I do know how to draw/paint. I would say my level is good enough to teach my own kid, and I can draw portrait, watercolor landscape, draw cartoon animation etc..

My DC is in 1st grade, and her drawings are cute and colorful. And, please guide me if I should wait or teaching/showing her technique/skill/composition/color mixing now? Is it better if it is me teaching or I pay someone (more professional) to do it like taking classes in a group setting? I think I once hear someone not to teach young kid any skills until certain age because it could limit kid imagination or something, any real artist here can give me some insight?

[Anonymous]

i feel like a kid that age might like to learn through youtube or from a book. there are lots of books that teach kids art.

would your DC like lessons from you or would DC prefer a "teacher"? young enough now that DC might be open to you now but may not be later on.

[Anonymous]

I would just draw or paint together— if your child asks for tips, give them (or like “how did you do that?”); otherwise, let them just explore with color/shapes/etc. teaching small kids that there is a “right” way to make art seems likely to backfire. If she asks how to draw a cat, show her. Otherwise, enjoy her art for what it is!

[Anonymous]

Oh I think that idea about not teaching skills is BS. As you learn more skills, you have more ways to express your creativity.

But I wouldn’t try to teach them myself. Kids tend to push back against their parents and sometimes it turns them off from the whole activity generally. And often people who are really good at an activity but who don’t have experience in teaching don’t realize what the student doesn’t know and so they skip a lot of steps, leaving them frustrated.

My daughter is a fantastic artist and she learned pretty much everything from YouTube. Hours and hours of YouTube watching. Sometimes it was stuff I didn’t see value in, like doodling “advice,” but she apparently learned a lot. She’s in 7th grade and her art teachers always marvel at her work.

But maybe a teacher couldn’t hurt your kid, as long as she’s interested in it. Just don’t push your child into anything.

[Anonymous]

I would send her to an art studio where there is a group class with some kids and a professional teacher. They usually explore various media and get intro to skills. I find it very hard to teach my kid creative subjects or critique skills. I want her to be able to try things and be the safe space for her to show things and me be proud of the efforts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just draw or paint together— if your child asks for tips, give them (or like “how did you do that?”); otherwise, let them just explore with color/shapes/etc. teaching small kids that there is a “right” way to make art seems likely to backfire. If she asks how to draw a cat, show her. Otherwise, enjoy her art for what it is!

This. A good friend is an illustrator and this is exactly what she did. Her daughter now, at 13, is an amazing artist with her own style who absolutely loves what she does.

[Anonymous]

I agree with a PP that said just paint together. If she shows additional interest, sign her up for a local kids class. Make it something enjoyable that you two do together. If she asked you for advice, that’s great. But I wouldn’t make it some thing where you are at the teacher.

[Anonymous]

The thing about not teaching higher level skills before they are ready is not BS. Art is important for kids not only for creative expression, but it’s a primary way they develop fine motor skills and dexterity. Trying to teach them certain artistic techniques before they are ready could create bad physical habits, but it could also be extremely frustrating if they are physically not ready for a teqnique, and frustration can kill interest.

Though some of what you are talking about are not physical techniques. For instance, color mixing. No reason not to teach an interested kid about that, and lots of children learn it at that age or younger.

As for other development, I would look for age appropriate opportunities to build skills. Art-focused summer camp or an after school program. We have a local artists collective that does that kind of thing and offers a lot of ongoing and one off programming for kids. And I would take the child to museums and show them art books and yes, sometimes work with them to show them what is possible and teach them a few developmentally appropriate concepts if it comes up.

I would hire my 1st grader a private art teacher because I think that’s overkill and there are better ways to encourage their skills and interest.

[Anonymous]

^would not hire

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just draw or paint together— if your child asks for tips, give them (or like “how did you do that?”); otherwise, let them just explore with color/shapes/etc. teaching small kids that there is a “right” way to make art seems likely to backfire. If she asks how to draw a cat, show her. Otherwise, enjoy her art for what it is!

This is where I would start as well.

Some kids don't respond super well to being taught by their parents. My DS loves soccer, and when I try to show him how to kick better or whatever, he immediately wants to stop playing. I've just given up. I figure he'll learn by watching me when we play together.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for advice. I will just draw and paint together for now , and it sees how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I wouldn’t try to teach them myself. Kids tend to push back against their parents and sometimes it turns them off from the whole activity generally.

Every child is different, but this is my experience as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I wouldn’t try to teach them myself. Kids tend to push back against their parents and sometimes it turns them off from the whole activity generally.

Every child is different, but this is my experience as well

My theory is that when we are doing activities my DD thinks of as "playing" or "kid activities", she thinks of me as a peer. So she responds to my coaching the same way she would respond to one of her friends trying to coach her on an activity they were doing together. It would be annoying!

But a teacher or coach is different because this person is presented as an expert in this area. So it feels natural to take instruction. And parents can be experts, they are just rarely true experts in sports or art or whatever, and kids know this. Even if you know a lot more than them, they know you aren't a professional and instinctively resist your amateur guidance.

Kids are super smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been busy and not drawing/painting, but I do know how to draw/paint. I would say my level is good enough to teach my own kid, and I can draw portrait, watercolor landscape, draw cartoon animation etc..

My DC is in 1st grade, and her drawings are cute and colorful. And, please guide me if I should wait or teaching/showing her technique/skill/composition/color mixing now? Is it better if it is me teaching or I pay someone (more professional) to do it like taking classes in a group setting? I think I once hear someone not to teach young kid any skills until certain age because it could limit kid imagination or something, any real artist here can give me some insight?

A lot depends on whether you know what is age-appropriate? I'd suggest looking up the state standards for visual art instruction at school, then maybe working up to two or three grade levels ahead, if your child shows that they want you to instruct. If not, let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I wouldn’t try to teach them myself. Kids tend to push back against their parents and sometimes it turns them off from the whole activity generally.

Every child is different, but this is my experience as well

My theory is that when we are doing activities my DD thinks of as "playing" or "kid activities", she thinks of me as a peer. So she responds to my coaching the same way she would respond to one of her friends trying to coach her on an activity they were doing together. It would be annoying!

But a teacher or coach is different because this person is presented as an expert in this area. So it feels natural to take instruction. And parents can be experts, they are just rarely true experts in sports or art or whatever, and kids know this. Even if you know a lot more than them, they know you aren't a professional and instinctively resist your amateur guidance.

Kids are super smart.

So true