Should I be the art teacher for my child?

[Anonymous]

My 4 year old seems to have fun taking virtual group drawing/painting classes. He can’t draw, at most he can draw a stick man, shapes & a sun. I have not drawn/painted for years, and I almost forget that I can teach him till a friend brings this up. My career is not art related, but I can draw comic stripes, portrait, landscape etc. I have a bunch of art supplies at home.

He has his ego & prides, and he is aware that he can’t draw/color well. Is it good or bad idea if I pick up the job to show him how to draw from flower, tree, a dog with simple lines? Or should I keep paying weekly online classes for him to have some fun? We have been struggling at home with me telework while he is bored at home without daycare. If I decide to be one, how/what should I start & how often should I do with him? One important question, will it cause more damages or benefits for me to teach drawing/painting at early ages? Would that kill his creativity & imagination? I know him best, I know that he has a tendency to copy the way I draw/paint.

[Anonymous]

Just try, OP.

You're not going to traumatize him for life if the session goes "badly". Which it won't, at worse he'll throw his stuff about and scream that he can't draw, which is what my daughter did until she was 10. And then a lightbulb went on and it dawned on her that her mother is a pretty good with a pencil, and she could learn a lot copying me...

[Anonymous]

It depends on your child. My son doesn't like when I teach him anything. He refuses. It puts him off of whatever it is.

I would just let him keep up with the virtual lessons for now.

[Anonymous]

I’m a preschool teacher. No need to formally teach him right now—if he asks “how do I draw a frog?” Then show him. But if you see him drawing a house and say “actually, you should do it this way” all he is hearing is that his work isn’t worthy. Provide him with ample time and materials and freedom and you’ll have an artist in your hands. Forget the instruction, at 4...way too early, most kids don’t even have the appropriate hand strength at his age.

[Anonymous]

Don’t teach him, just draw with him. He’ll watch what you do and either he will ask for help or he won’t. If you take it upon yourself to formally teach him, it will turn into a power struggle that it sounds like you already know will go poorly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t teach him, just draw with him. He’ll watch what you do and either he will ask for help or he won’t. If you take it upon yourself to formally teach him, it will turn into a power struggle that it sounds like you already know will go poorly.

+1

Plus, what he will learn is how to draw houses the way that someone else draws houses. It's better to let him figure it out. So just draw with him, and only show him how you drew something if he asks.

[Anonymous]

Do you mind sharing the link to this class? My 4.5 is interested in drawing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t teach him, just draw with him. He’ll watch what you do and either he will ask for help or he won’t. If you take it upon yourself to formally teach him, it will turn into a power struggle that it sounds like you already know will go poorly.

+1

Plus, what he will learn is how to draw houses the way that someone else draws houses. It's better to let him figure it out. So just draw with him, and only show him how you drew something if he asks.

Another early childhood educator here - yes to both! Don't teach him that there is only one way to draw a house, AND don't tell him he isn't doing it correctly. Sit with him and draw together. Or encourage him to draw, paint, use playdough, clay, etc. in really open ended ways - or in ways he's interested in. Hey, do you want to make a book and send it to grandma? Work with him to staple blank copier paper together, then let him go to town! If he wants to narrate what's happening on each page then you can write the words he dictates. If not, then that's fine, too. Then mail to Grandma! She'd love it and he has a "reason" or "mission" in doing something today.

he can also make signs to hang around the house "remember to brush your teeth" on the bathroom mirror or "exit" on each door. give a 4 year old markers, crayons, blank paper and TAPE (protip, get blue painter's tape - it will stick paper up but won't peel paint usually) and that 4 year old is SET for LIFE! (or at least an hour!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t teach him, just draw with him. He’ll watch what you do and either he will ask for help or he won’t. If you take it upon yourself to formally teach him, it will turn into a power struggle that it sounds like you already know will go poorly.

+1

Plus, what he will learn is how to draw houses the way that someone else draws houses. It's better to let him figure it out. So just draw with him, and only show him how you drew something if he asks.

+2
Artist and teacher here. Let it be fun and let it stay fun.

[Anonymous]

art is about self expression for kids, OP. The best thing you can do is give him a lot of materials and let him make a mess.