LET’S CELEBRATE THE SCRIBBLE

I believe strongly in authentic art experiences for children, and despite some crazy crafting urges that overcome me this time of year, I mostly enable my son and daughter to do plenty of process-oriented art. I don’t want them to oh-so-carefully colour in the lines of a drawing of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I want them to draw and paint, collage and sculpt, to create just as they desire.

So what do I do instead? I celebrate the scribble. I provide blank paper and markers (or crayons, paints, pastels…) for my children to explore as they see fit. And I’m careful about the way I talk about their art.

That’s not to say we don’t own any colouring books. My daughter has been given a few over time and I don’t make a big deal out of it. She enjoys them for a few days then I put them away on a closet shelf (they are not missed, in case you are wondering) . Every once in a while—on a rainy day or when one of them is home sick from school—I get one out briefly for its novelty.

New photo’s taken by Annarella Caruso. Get Inspired!