art help for my 5 y.o.
Ren Allen
I second the Mona Brookes book, but don't try to use it in the format
she lays out. Just dabble with her ideas. I really found her chart of
basic shapes helpful. We posted that and my children can now look at
things and break them down into their basic shapes (angled line, curvy
line etc..) so it doesn't seem as intimidating when they want to draw
something.
Art isn't about drawing things realistically though, that's just one
tool you might want to have. Art is expression! Maybe she's had some
idea that art is supposed to look a certain way? Has there been stress
surrounding artistic adventures in the past?
If she has received input about the "right" way to do things, that
could be part of the problem. If she believes art is trying to
realistically execute things we see, that could be part of the
problem. If she's simply frustrated by her skill level not matching
her vision, well, she's an artist!!:)
Let her know that for every work of art a person is happy with, they
throw away or are frustated by about 10 other works! As you work with
materials, it does get easier to manipulate them in ways that make you
satisfied. Part of being an artist, is being frustrated. That isn't
easy for a young person to understand though.
Try to find activities that are more about the experience, not any
outcome. Set up some materials where she doesn't have to see you make
anything. Time creating together can be balanced with time spent
creating on your own. You can be present nearby, but not actively
creating with her and that might help...(or not).
Art at a young age should really be about exploration. You might have
a bit of a perfectionist on your hands, in that case, accepting her
frustration and letting her own the process is about all you can do
aside from setting up materials that invite open ended creation.
Here's a book I've been meaning to buy. Check out this site:
http://www.everydayart.com/
She's a wonderful artist, but look at her book "Everyday Art For
Kids", I think it sounds awesome.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
she lays out. Just dabble with her ideas. I really found her chart of
basic shapes helpful. We posted that and my children can now look at
things and break them down into their basic shapes (angled line, curvy
line etc..) so it doesn't seem as intimidating when they want to draw
something.
Art isn't about drawing things realistically though, that's just one
tool you might want to have. Art is expression! Maybe she's had some
idea that art is supposed to look a certain way? Has there been stress
surrounding artistic adventures in the past?
If she has received input about the "right" way to do things, that
could be part of the problem. If she believes art is trying to
realistically execute things we see, that could be part of the
problem. If she's simply frustrated by her skill level not matching
her vision, well, she's an artist!!:)
Let her know that for every work of art a person is happy with, they
throw away or are frustated by about 10 other works! As you work with
materials, it does get easier to manipulate them in ways that make you
satisfied. Part of being an artist, is being frustrated. That isn't
easy for a young person to understand though.
Try to find activities that are more about the experience, not any
outcome. Set up some materials where she doesn't have to see you make
anything. Time creating together can be balanced with time spent
creating on your own. You can be present nearby, but not actively
creating with her and that might help...(or not).
Art at a young age should really be about exploration. You might have
a bit of a perfectionist on your hands, in that case, accepting her
frustration and letting her own the process is about all you can do
aside from setting up materials that invite open ended creation.
Here's a book I've been meaning to buy. Check out this site:
http://www.everydayart.com/
She's a wonderful artist, but look at her book "Everyday Art For
Kids", I think it sounds awesome.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Kiersten Pasciak
My son is 4 and we face the perfectionist artist pretty frequently.
I tend to revert to more "physical" art at these times like play-
dough, finger paints, lots of stickers and bulky building vs. pencils
or markers. Getting back to exploring the materials instead of trying
to make something in particular really helps us.
He used to do all kinds of drawings when he was 3 and has now
essentially given them up.
"Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product" is great!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876591683/sr=8-
1/qid=1140649912/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-6643026-6447144?%5Fencoding=UTF8
Kiersten Pasciak
mom to Jacob (4) and Emma (2 1/2)
I tend to revert to more "physical" art at these times like play-
dough, finger paints, lots of stickers and bulky building vs. pencils
or markers. Getting back to exploring the materials instead of trying
to make something in particular really helps us.
He used to do all kinds of drawings when he was 3 and has now
essentially given them up.
"Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product" is great!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876591683/sr=8-
1/qid=1140649912/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-6643026-6447144?%5Fencoding=UTF8
Kiersten Pasciak
mom to Jacob (4) and Emma (2 1/2)