We spend a lot of time doing art in my house. A LOT. We’re blessed to have an art playhouse in our backyard where my kids can get messy and create till their heart’s content. We also live in Southern California, so the weather is definitely on our side. Those are my two disclaimers right off the bat. I recognize that this is not the norm and in other parts of the country it’s still snowing outside and most people don’t have a designated “art playhouse.” In fact, I’m sure that sounds cookoo to a lot of people, so I get it. However, I have been a teacher for almost 20 years, and I believe whole heartedly in the power of creativity and laying the foundation for that creativity through the process of art. It doesn’t have to be like you see here. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t even have to be messy. Whatever your comfort level, whatever your space, just let them paint! You can join me here in my happy place with the hashtag
#letthempaint JOIN ME!
Keep reading! Keep reading!
You can skip the rest of this post and just click over to this TED TALK to get a clearer explanation of what I’m referring too. You can also scroll down to the bottom of this post to see some of my favorite art supplies to get you started. Otherwise, read on to hear just a few of the bazillion reasons why the process of art creates thinkers, problem solvers and future leaders.
Here’s Why…
“When children explore art ideas, they are testing possibilities and working through challenges, much like a scientist who experiments and finds solutions. Art allows children to make their own assessments, while also teaching them that a problem may have more than one answer. Instead of following specific rules or directions, the child’s brain becomes engaged in the discovery of “how” and “why.”
via MaryAnn Kohl
“Because art leaves the end open to the creator, all children experience a measure of success.”
via education.com
“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people. Unfortunately, that’s too rare a commodity. A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences. So they don’t have lots of dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solution without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have.” Steve Jobs
via National Performing Arts Convention
“When kids are encouraged to express themselves and take risks in creating art, they develop a sense of innovation that will be important in their adult lives.”
via PBS Parents
“I’m enough of an artist to draw freely on my imagination, which I think is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein
via The Huffington Post
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
“Painting isn’t an aesthetic operation; it’s a form of magic designed as mediator between this strange hostile world and us.”
Pablo Picasso
My favorite painting supplies
1. Rollers
2. Spray bottles
3. Big plastic paint holders you can throw in the dish washer, also from ikea but they sell them here now on Amazon.
4. Tempera Paints – These
5. Stampers, sponges, soap suction pads
If you’re feelin’ my vibe and believe in the words above, I’d love for you to join me in spreading creativity with your little one and give other parents, teachers and educators inspiration to spread the foundations of creativity amongst our children. Just hashtag #letthempaint on instagram of any pics of your kids being creative and tag me @mericherryla. I can’t wait to see what they’re up to. And believe me, our children will thank us! (and even if they don’t, our future will thank us.)
#letthempaint
Thanks for reading along everyone! Happy Painting!!! xo Meri
Thank you! As a kindergarten/first grade teacher this inspires me to do more art with my kiddos. Let them paint!!
Woo hoo!!! That’s terrific Wendy! Thank you so much for being open. It’s going to be great!
Hi Meri! I need your advice. What can I do to engage my 2 yo into painting? He likes to squish paint in his hands, paint his body parts and would spread paint on the paper a little bit. Should I just leave him like this and wait or should I try to do something? Thank you and I’m joining you 🙂
That’s terrific and so age appropriate. I say embrace what he’s doing! Just find ways to make it work for you. If he puts the paint in his mouth, I would try yogurt paint. If the mess is getting to you, try going outside and hosing him off after or doing it in the bathtub. Just plop him in there and give him some yogurt paint or shaving cream with a drop of food coloring. There are alternatives too if you are more conscientious than I am about dyes and stuff. All the above comes out! I promise. Otherwise I would be permanently green and so would my children. Bubble wrap is often really fun for kids to paint. You can do finger paints too. Here are some links that might help. http://www.mericherry.com/2014/06/08/make-yogurt-paint-babies-toddlers/ http://www.mericherry.com/2014/05/13/little-blue-little-yellow-make-green-paint-mixing-toddlers/ http://www.mericherry.com/2013/08/11/ziploc-paintbags-for-babies-toddlers-and-kids/ Hope this is helpful! Let me know!
Going to paint today 🙂 Thank you Meri for you time and inspiration!
Yay! Have fun!
I needed to hear this. I’ve seen this in my life and gotten to that place of connecting things creatively, and I want my kids to get that way too. Painting/art really is one of the greatest ways to help them achieve that. I have seen that teaching kids to engage in serving others on many levels helps get them to that place too. There is a kids book called ‘What do you do with an idea’ I love it and I think you would too. Thanks again for this post ♡
Thanks so much DeAnn. I have heard of that book but haven’t read it yet. You’re the second person to recommend though so it is now on our wish list. Thanks so much and so glad you are feeling inspired.
I love these paintings. It was so fun to watch them engage with so many different tools.
Thanks Laura! I loved it too. It was a great afternoon. xo
I have been reading and following your blog. Its so inspiring! I don’t have IG but I do want to say that we have taken some of your ideas and hosted our own art playdates. I’ve also done lots of process art with my little. We are lucky too – Vegas weather and a large outdoor space for messes. I will try and send photos if you’d be interested.
I’d love to see pics! Thanks so much for reading my blog. So happy you’re enjoying doing art with your little one. Def would love to see pics!
i love art, did it for GCSEs & a levels (many years ago now). Since having my daughter I have used it as a good excuse to get creative again. We love all crafty & she has her own draw of easily accessible materials & paper so she can create at any time. She’s 3 1/2 now & also loves it. I wish I had your set up though, very jealous, & no space to do it here. I agree with the article & will continue to encourage creativity & art in my daughters life. Next step for me is a sewing machine when she starts school
I love this post. While we paint a lot at our house, it is always nice to have some encouragement! I love those paintings the kids did! My 3 year old goes nuts for spray bottles. I’m definitely adding this to our to do list 🙂
I love your article and I heartily agree. My grandsons are very lucky that my daughter loves to stamp and they have a large designated art area in their basement. I am an artist, and I have a space in my basement to pain and create, and another studio upstairs for less messy explorations.
I absolutely love this post! We make a lot of art messes in my house and I know it’s for a good cause. Sometimes when it takes longer to clean up than to actually create I need to remind myself just how important creating really is. It’s vital IMO 🙂
I’m so glad to hear it Christina. Yeah, the mess can be mighty, but the experience is even more. Thanks for reading along!
I absolutely love your art playhouse! Now I’m looking at some unused outbuildings, wondering if we could clean them up just enough to make a good painting spot for my boys….
That sounds great!! Let me know if I can help in anyway. We love our space and use it all the time. Hope you decide to go for it!
Wow!!! this article is great. And what awesome artworks!! My daughter is almost 4 and she loves painting, mixing colors and create something. I’ve put a brush in her tiny hands when she was 1 and a half to make something special for father’s day and now I realize that when she is stressed or nervous she relaxes with painting. Her teacher at the kindergarden told me that compare with the other children of her age she is not able to draw yet though and I was wondering if this is because she is so used to use brushes and paint instead of pencils. Anyway…this doesn’t bother me ’cause every child is unique and different…right?!
I am going to use your tag for sure and keep on follow your art ideas!!
I’m so glad to receive your message. Thank you for all your kind words. Sounds like you’re daughter is growing up in a rich art filled environment. That’s wonderful. And like you said, everyone develops at their own pace. Looking forward to seeing you around #letthempaint!!! Thanks for reading along!
This is fantastic! Sharing everywhere! 🙂
Awesome!! So glad you like it. Spread the word #letthempaint !!!
I live in New England (it snowed 2 days ago… In October) and my 21 month old paints almost daily! We made watercolors out of dried up markers and water which are his favorite! Art is awesome!
Fantastic Elizabeth!
What type of paper do you use in the photos? I’ve been buying paper from the art supply store but they can get pricey! And cheaper ones don’t hold up to the paint. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Hi Lucy, I hear you. Watercolor paper gets expensive. Kid Made Modern makes an inexpensive small pad available at Target. Discount School Supply has a large stack of 50 that is less expensive than other brands. I also wait until I have a half off coupon from Michaels and get one of the really big pads. Hope that’s helpful!
This is fabulous to see and I wish this for schools and after school clubs everywhere. What a gem of a parent and teacher you are 😉
I’m a big believer in expression through creativity and I also wish we had this for adults too!
A joyful find. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings
Emma
Hello.
The best article I have read about creativity. You have put into words what I have always thought. Just couldn’t explain to others. My kids love art and creating. It can get very messy. I love it. Its a big clean up some days. I think there is not enough art in primary school (elementary). When there is each child makes the exact picture. Painting is awesome. So many tools to use. Different types of paints. Different size papers. Different felts. Crayons. Pastels. Pencils. Pens. Stickers. Scissors. Shapes holepunchers. Sellotape. String. Fabric. Using fences with paper for large motor movement. And so much more. My kids even paint themselves. Thanks for this article