While AI and digital technology continue to evolve, the skills children need are shifting toward more human-like non-cognitive abilities such as creativity and expressiveness. Among these, art education, including painting, is gaining attention. The appeal is that it can be easily started at home without the need for special tools or specialized knowledge.
We will introduce the effects of art education at home and how you can put it into practice right away. Why not develop your child's mind and sensibility through art?
Why "art education" is attracting attention now
In recent years, "art education" has been attracting renewed attention in schools and at home. It is not just about learning how to draw, but is expected to be a way to develop non-cognitive skills necessary for children, such as creativity, expressiveness, observation skills, and self-esteem. Art experiences at home, in particular, offer a high degree of freedom and can also be a great opportunity to deepen communication between children and parents.
We will introduce practical ways to start art education at home, from the perspective of ``Why can painting be the best teaching material?''
Three reasons why painting develops children's minds
1. A world without correct answers expands creativity
In school tests and in everyday life, we tend to expect a "correct answer," but in art, there are no set answers. It is this "freedom" that stimulates children's flexible thinking and creativity. The appeal of art is that it allows children to fully express their sensibilities in an environment where they are free to use any color they like and draw any shape they like.
2. Visualizing emotions helps you understand yourself better
It is difficult for children to explain their feelings in words. However, by drawing, they can express emotions such as "happy," "sad," and "angry" by converting them into colors and shapes. This act also trains them to face their own emotions, leading to emotional stability and improved self-esteem.
3. Parent-child communication naturally increases
Casual conversations such as, "What did you draw in that picture?" and "Why did you use those colors?" can be said to be the greatest benefit of art education. Dialogue based on empathy rather than evaluation fosters an attitude of respect for children's self-expression and contributes to deepening relationships of trust.
How to start art education at home
Step 1: Gather your tools
First, get some basic art supplies like crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, and drawing paper. Nowadays, you can get everything you need at a 100-yen shop. No special preparations are necessary, but it's a good idea to create an "art space" just for your child, where they can draw to their heart's content without worrying about getting dirty, by wearing clothes they don't mind getting dirty and, if possible, laying down plastic or newspaper on the floor and tables. This will make it easier for them to express themselves freely.
Step 2: Don't be too thematic
The important thing about art education at home is to respect freedom. You can suggest, "Let's draw your favorite animal today!" but don't tell your child, "It has to be drawn like this." The colors and shapes your child chooses will reflect how they feel at the time.
Step 3: Empathize with the work, not evaluate it
Instead of saying, "You're good at this!", try to convey your child's realizations and emotions, such as, "This red color makes me feel energized" or "It looks like fun!" By watching over them as an equal, rather than judging them from an adult's perspective of skill or poor performance, children can feel at ease and enjoy expressing themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions: Resolving concerns about art education at home
Q1: Is it okay if my parents aren't good at drawing?
Yes, there is absolutely no problem. Parents do not need to draw pictures themselves. The most important thing is to "see, feel, and talk" together with their children and communicate with them.
Q2: Do I need to do this every day?
Don't push yourself too hard, even once a week is fine! The important thing is to have fun rather than to keep doing it. Even if your child doesn't feel like drawing on certain days, don't worry about it and don't force them, just respect their feelings.
Experience real art
While art education is often thought of as simply drawing, appreciating already completed paintings is also an important learning experience. Children's exposure to authentic paintings and other artworks in art museums is a valuable experience that cultivates their sensibilities. They can experience the texture, scale, and depth of color of the artworks in ways that cannot be achieved through textbooks or digital screens, leaving a lasting impression not only on the eyes but also on the mind. The quiet space of an art museum also provides an opportunity to teach concentration and good manners, naturally increasing parent-child dialogue. Exposure to authentic art from an early age will greatly contribute to the enrichment of the heart by developing an appreciation for beauty.
If you're hesitant to take your young children to an art museum, we recommend a children's museum like the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. With a screening of My Neighbor Totoro's "Mei and the Catbus Mini Theater," exhibitions of sketches and original drawings from Ghibli films, and even a giant Catbus that kids can actually climb into and play in, parents and children can enjoy a whole day together. Furthermore, photography with smartphones and other devices is strictly prohibited inside the museum, which reflects Ghibli's desire for children to simply concentrate on enjoying themselves without worrying about taking photos, making it an even more enjoyable space for the whole family. Why not make some summer vacation memories here?
Image source: https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/
Cultivating mental strength through art
Art education at home is a familiar way to develop non-cognitive abilities, and can be started without any special skills or knowledge. Focusing on the three pillars of "drawing," "looking," and "talking," art can help children connect with their inner selves and develop rich sensibilities.
Now is the time to reconsider painting as a teaching tool and incorporate art into your home.
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Written by: MIKIKO
FROM ARTIST Management staff. I write columns. I provide management support so that we can convey the appeal of artists.
Supervisor: Shoma Toida
CEO of BUSCA LLC. Head of FROM ARTIST. Started his career as a marketer, he worked for a business company and an advertising agency before going independent. He completed marketing-related programs at several graduate schools and business schools, including the University of California, Berkeley and London Business School. He also completed the MBA core curriculum at Macquarie University and studied the importance of art in education at the University of British Columbia.
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