5 ways to encourage your child to express themselves more by drawing

Leave a box of crayons and a blank sheet of paper in front of a child to see what happens. Even the most inhibited will soon unleash their imagination – and, believe me, the result, no matter how rudimentary the drawing is, will be a beautiful portrait of their feelings and emotions at the moment. The coolest thing is that no one needs to teach a child to draw. It seems that everyone is born knowing and with the awareness that it is something very fun. “I think the attraction lies in the fact that, when drawing, the child brings mental images to paper. It transforms what you have in your imagination into an artistic language, creating your work of art and still recording what you are feeling, thinking or wishing for”, explains psychopedagogue Maria Cristina Natel, vice president of the Associação Brasileira de Psicopedagogia/Seção São Paulo . “That is, drawing is communicating what cannot be said in words.”

The package of emotions that will end up on paper is vast and includes fears, sadness, joy and anxiety. Translating requires parental attention, an open mind and an available heart. When there are no defined forms, for example, it is the child himself who provides the most valuable information. “To have ‘eyes to see’ what the drawing seems to want to show, the family must pay attention to the stories that the children tell about what they have drawn, in addition to observing colors, strokes and shapes. Drawing can be the start of a good conversation about emotions and feelings.” In some cases, you will need to seek help from a professional to understand the messages.

The best part is that it doesn’t take much to get a kid to draw. But parents can, of course, lend a hand to stimulate the sleeping artist. Check out, below, five expert tips for your child to draw more and more:

1. Cherish any design. It doesn’t matter that it looks like a simple doodle. What counts is the fun – which will not be less because the child has not produced a work of art. And remember that the picture will reveal a lot about your child.

2. Create the right environment. Provide an attractive and comfortable space. Children up to 2 years old, for example, prefer to scribble freely on smooth and limitless surfaces – the support can be a spacious table or even the floor. “Although imagination and fun do not depend on external resources, the more stimulating the place, the greater the opportunities for exploration and learning.”

3. Offer resources. The same logic of the environment applies to drawing materials. The child does not depend on amazing papers and a luxurious set of pencils, with 36 colors or more, to have fun. But the more resources and supports available, the greater the possibilities for creation.

4. Escape models. Avoid offering images to copy and suggesting themes for the drawing. “This kills spontaneity and prevents the child from revealing a critical sense. Better encourage autonomy.”

5. Don’t dismiss books with ready-made drawings. But know that this is a resource for the elderly. There is no certain age, but it is necessary to see if the child has already acquired certain skills. “To color, she needs coordination, being able to respect the limits of the stroke and knowing how to hold the pencil or crayon correctly.” But don’t forget: these books will never be as stimulating as blank paper.

According to psychopedagogue Maria Cristina, however, the most important thing is that adults give the child maximum freedom to draw or play with other things. And know how to respect her time. “Play only has value if it is spontaneous and pleasurable, never an obligation.”