My Child Shows Promise With Art — How Can I Encourage Them?
As parents, it’s magical to see our children light up when they create. Maybe your child spends hours sketching, loves experimenting with colors, or thinks outside the box with just a few simple supplies. When you notice that spark, it’s natural to wonder: How can I support them? How do I help them grow as an artist?
At Give Kids Art, we believe every child has an innate creative voice. Our role as parents isn’t to “improve” that voice, but to help them hold onto it. Children already create fearlessly; our goal isn’t to make them “better,” it’s to help them stay themselves.
Here are seven ways to encourage your budding artist while protecting their unique spark.
1. Create a "Yes" Space for Exploration
You don’t need a high-end studio or expensive supplies—just a small, dedicated corner where art is welcome. A basket of paper, markers, scissors, and glue goes a long way. When children have a space where they can create freely, they feel empowered to experiment without the fear of "making a mess."
Pro Tip: Set up an “Invitation to Create” each day. Keep a rotating set of supplies like watercolor paper, oil pastels, or clay. Often, a new texture or material is all it takes to spark a fresh idea.
2. Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Product
It’s easy to praise a drawing by saying, “That looks so good!” But deeper encouragement comes from noticing how they created. Try using the "I See, I Notice, I Wonder" framework:
I see… how you mixed those colors together.
I noticed… you worked so carefully on those details.
I wonder… about this shape in the corner—can you tell me more about it?
Avoid "Judged Observations": We’ve all been there—walking up to a child and saying, “I love the house you’re drawing!” only to have them look up and say, “It’s a rocket ship.” Even well-intentioned assumptions can make a child feel they’ve done it "wrong." Instead, start with curiosity: “This is interesting! Can you tell me about what you’re creating?”
3. Build the Skill of Self-Validation
When a child asks, “Do you like my picture?” our instinct is to say, “I love it!” However, constant external praise can make children reliant on outside approval.
Try this instead: “I’ll tell you in just a minute, but I’m curious—do YOU like your picture?” Follow up with:
“What do you like best about it?”
“How did you feel while you were making it?”
Once they’ve shared their thoughts, give your specific praise: “I love it too! I’m especially drawn to the way you used those bright colors in the corner.” This teaches them that their opinion of their work is the one that matters most.
4. Expose Them to Possibility (Without the Pressure)
Visit museums, street art walks, or local galleries. Browse library books with diverse art styles. The more "versions" of art a child sees, the more they realize there is no single “right” way to be an artist.
Remember: The artists who succeed aren’t always the ones with the most technical skill — they are the ones who stayed true to their voice and never stopped.
At-home idea: Choose one artist per month (like Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring, or Yayoi Kusama). Ask your child: “What do you see in this image? What makes you say that? What more can we find?” Then, invite them to create something inspired by that artist’s style.
5. Provide Gentle Guidance, Not Correction
Children thrive when they feel supported, not judged. Avoid correcting their "mistakes" or comparing their work to others. Instead, foster a growth mindset by asking:
“What part was the most fun to make?”
“Is there anything you’d want to try differently next time?”
6. Use Art as a Tool for Emotional Resilience
Art isn’t just about what children see – it’s about how they feel. Encourage your child to use art as an emotional outlet:
Use colors and shapes to draw the feeling.
Creating a gratitude collage with magazine cutouts.
Create to music that matches their mood.
7. Help Them Protect Their "Creative Genius"
When children are young, they don’t worry about rules. They create fearlessly. As Pablo Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist as we grow up.”
The data backs this up. A famous NASA study of 1,600 children found that 98% of 4- and 5-year-olds scored at the “creative genius” level. Five years later, that number dropped to 30%. By adulthood? Only 2%.
Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised and protected. Our job isn't to help them "develop" a voice—they were born with one. Our job is to help them keep it.
A Final Word to Parents
The most powerful gift you can give your child is permission to create fearlessly. Whether or not they become a professional artist, the confidence, imagination, and resilience they gain through art will last a lifetime.
At Give Kids Art, we’re here to help you foster that creativity. If you’d like to explore our resources or learn how to bring our art programming and/or Art Kits to your community, we’d love to connect.
