Parenting Hack: The Wonders of Having a Designated Kid's Art Space
As parents and caregivers, we all want the best for our children. We strive to create environments that foster growth, development, and, of course, happiness. One powerful way to achieve all these goals is by providing a designated creation station or art studio for your little ones. In this blog post, I’ll share with you the incredible benefits that children gain when they are allowed to be expressive and create in a space designed just for them.
1. Spark their Imagination and Creativity with Unstructured “Creating-Time”
Children are natural explorers, and a creation station or art space provides them with the perfect canvas to unleash their imagination. By setting children up with opportunities to paint, colour, mould, and create freely, we are fostering a sense of creativity that will stay with them throughout their lives.
Getting Started: Sometimes a spark or an invitation will encourage children to take risks when creating and they will try something new. For example, I like to ask my own children questions that start off with “I wonder” or “what if”. Such as “I wonder what would happen if we mixed the blue and red paint together”. A simple open-ended question may invite or spark your child to try something new. These questions can be changed to reflect the age and stage of your child.
Plus: This unstructured creative time helps them develop problem-solving skills and think outside the box. For example: If my 3-year-old doesn’t have green paint, but she has yellow and blue, she now knows she can mix the two and voila, she has her green!
2. Building Confidence Self-Esteem, and Better Communication Skills
When I was a teacher, I loved setting up invitations to create and observe the children engaging in artistic activities. I saw them finally able to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a tangible way. Maybe it was in drawing a detailed picture of what happened during a family vacation, or a dream they had the night before, the kids were able to tell me a more detailed story through their art. It also created more opportunities for us to slow down and be in the moment together, especially during our still art experiences. Truly looking at all the details and appreciating the beauty within the world around us.
This act of creation not only builds confidence in their abilities to communicate, but also boosts their self-esteem. Having their own creation station or art space gives them a sense of ownership and pride in their work, fostering a positive self-image.
Bonus: Have a space where your kids can display their art too!
3. Enhancing Fine Motor Skills
Artistic activities like drawing, colouring, and moulding involve precise movements that contribute to the development of fine motor skills. These skills are crucial for tasks such as writing, tying shoelaces, and other everyday activities. An art space is essentially a fun and engaging way for kids to enhance these skills while having a blast.
4. Promoting Emotional Well-Being
Art is a powerful medium for emotional expression. Children may not always have the words to articulate their feelings, but through art, they can communicate and process their emotions. Having a dedicated art space allows them to freely explore and express their thoughts and feelings, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.
5. Encouraging Responsibility and Organization
Question for you: Are you the parent who is always running to the store to buy another pack of markers because you can’t find specific colours anymore? Or constantly having to rush to the craft store to buy new paintbrushes after the kids failed to clean them once again. Here’s how I solved that problem.
A designated art space teaches children about responsibility and organization. When they have a specific area for their art supplies, they learn to take care of their tools and keep the space tidy. These skills translate into valuable life lessons about taking care of their belongings and managing their personal space. (plus saves you time and money having to replenish missing or destroyed supplies!)
Overall, providing a dedicated creation station for your child is a gift that keeps on giving. From fostering creativity to building confidence and enhancing fine motor skills, the benefits are immeasurable.
As a designer passionate about creating spaces for kids, I am excited to share that I have curated a complete shoppable design guide. This guide includes everything parents need to transform a corner of their homes into a vibrant and inspiring art studio for their little ones.
To check it out: CLICK HERE
Vanessa Silva
Be in Wonder Design
