Tips for Loving Art with your Preschool Child

1. Have a water source nearby for easy cleanup.
2. Focus on the child's own creations, rather than a specific art project.
3. Encourage the process of art, rather than worrying about the product.
4. Provide a wide variety of art materials to your child, one or two at a time.
5. Allow your child lots of time and don't rush them through their art.
6. Provide positive reinforcement, not suggestions on how they can do it "better."
7. Never do it FOR your child.
8. Teach your child the care and use of art materials.
9. Try to relax while they create freely, but supervise nearby in case of a major spill.
10. Don't overreact if the art area becomes "messy."
11. Display completed artworks at the child's eye level so they can appreciate it too.
12. Encourage the little artist to "sign their name."
13. Document the child's thoughts about the creation on an index card and display them together.
14. Keep flat art creations in a folder, with dates, to see how your child's skills progress over time.
15. Remember that even Picasso started out scribbling!

3 year old's art

4 year old's art