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.
Art Materials
Avoid coloring books - they impose a formulaic, adult view and do not encourage creativity. Cheap markers, too-hard pencils and thin paints are a waste of money.
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.
