"Desert Peep and Friend" Auden Smith, age 7 How does a parent encourage their child in their art? When parents ask me this, I often tell them that in general, there are two kinds of parents. Those who say, "That's very good. Keep it up!" and those who say, "What is it? Don't do that." The first kind of encouragement usually produces artists who are adventurous, courageous and spontaneous. The second kind of criticism usually drives children away from art long before they even get started. If the child does keep going, they spend the rest of their artistic endeavors trying to create to please others. I think I have developed just about the perfect way for parents to encourage their children as they discover their emerging artistic talents. Never. Let me repeat this again. Never ask: “What is it?” Always. Let me repeat this again. Always say: “Tell me about your work.” Believe me, they will tell you. What to you may seem a complete jumble of badly colored forms and shapes may be a wonderland of dreams and adventures to your child. “Tell me about it,” encourages your child to “teach” you a thing or two about seeing.
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