Having a toddler or a young child at home is stressful, and not in ways you can always
explain. You might love them to bits and still find yourself searching for ways to keep them
busy, just to steal a little “me time.” Trust me, you are not alone if you feel that way.
Being a mother myself, I have often battled with feelings of guilt for giving them too much
screen time and not enough structured activity time. At the time, screens seemed like a way
to ease the stress of keeping them occupied.
With experience and a little more knowledge on parenting, I’ve come to accept the fact that
things might get messy and it might be a little more work afterward, but art is the answer to
all the conflicts going on in my mind. Now, you may ask, how does art answer it all?
Let me explain.
Art has been connected to us since a time far beyond our imagination. It’s something that
binds us to our ancestors and gives us our unique identity. It’s not wrong to say that art
existed even before there was language or other ways to communicate. Art gives children
the ability to observe, experiment, express, and connect emotionally.
So, let’s take a closer look at how art really works:
- Experimentation: When a child is provided with materials and the freedom to create,
they learn how to use and combine new projects through experimentation. They are
encouraged to explore textures, materials, and colors, which expands their
boundaries. - Expression: From the beginning of time, art has been a powerful medium for
expressing feelings and emotions. Art helps children articulate their deepest fears
and imaginations. It gives them a sense of originality. - Imagination: Art allows children to bring their fantasies to life, giving wings to their
thoughts, which can be expressed through drawings, molds, or even sculptures.
Art gives children the opportunity to make decisions as they create through trial and error,
learning to keep the best results and discard the rest. They gain confidence in
self-expression and develop critical thinking by deciding which materials will help them
achieve the best outcome. It also teaches them to be more planned and organized, as they
must first imagine and then plan how to express their ideas using physical materials.
So, let’s give our children the opportunity to experiment, express, and explore the beautiful
world of ART.
Shilpa Rishi Chopra
