You can encourage creativity in your child by providing time and space for making art, along with the right materials. Try to set aside interruption-free time for drawing, in a mess-proof zone - nothing squashes creativity faster than a constant refrain of 'don't make a mess!'. Choosing the right drawing materials for your child is important. Many craft materials can be improvised, but when drawing tools and paper are required, opt for a small selection of good quality age-appropriate products, rather than loads of inferior products. Be sure to check safety information and follow instructions.
Environment:
As with writing, good posture and a comfortable position is important for drawing. A child-size table and chair is actually preferable to an easel. If the chair is a little high, use a phone book for a footrest. A coffee table and inexpensive plastic chair will do the job. A small kitchen storage trolley is ideal for containing supplies, or if space does not permit, a portable tackle box is a good solution. Messy toddlers may need a drop-cloth and supervision to avoid ink-stained walls, as even 'washable' pens often don't wash off well. Try to create a 'safe' place to work - where spills won't matter and furniture or walls won't be harmed, as frustration or anger caused by these events - which will inevitably happen - can be discouraging.
What Not to Buy
Cheap markers dry out fast, too-hard pencils and crayons won't lay down colour, and thin paint with cheap pigment doesn't mix to true colors. Huge boxes of colored pencils are confusing to young children, and hard to keep tidy. These are all a waste of money. It's always better to have a smaller selection of good quality products. Coloring books can be enjoyable but also repetitive and forumlaic - don't go overboard with these.
Quick List of Materials for Kids:
Toddlers:
- Child-safe markers and wipe-off boards
- Chalk boards and safe chalk
- Bond paper and tripod-grip pencils
Juniors:
- Artist's sketchbook
- Student colored pencils
- Washable Markers
- oil pastels
Middle School:
- Artist's sketchbook
- Graphite Pencils
- watercolor sketch paper
- student watercolor pencils
- marker pens, marker paper
High School
- Artist's Sketchbook
- Quality drawing papers and boards
- Graphite Pencils
- Artist's quality colored pencils
- illustration markers, marker paper
- pastel paper and hard pastels if liked
All ages:
- Safe sharpeners, erasers, dusters, rulers
- A corflute (plastic) folder for storing large pieces
- Storage boxes for smaller pieces.
- Consider photographing or scanning pieces for a permanent record.
