Teaching Children to Draw

Should children be taught to draw? I think so, but 'softly softly' does it. It is important to be child-led and sensitive to their developing creativity, and aware of their physical and cognitive development. Rather than the right brain - left brain philosophy which tends to emphasise 'right brain' realistic drawing as 'correct', I prefer to take the view that there are two ways to draw - drawing with your eyes, and drawing with your mind. Both are good. Sometimes we do one or the other, sometimes we do both. This gives you the opportunity to emphasise the validity of imagination and invention, and it is important to balance lessons in realistic drawing with appreciation of free and expressive artistic creation.

Related Articles:
Teaching Children to Draw - the stages of development
Lessons and Activities for kids
10 Ways to Make Anyone Hate Art History
Easy Animal Step-by-Step Drawing
Choosing Age-Appropriate Drawing Materials