Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
Dan, earlier this week we talked about how to boost a child’s artistic creativity. What is a healthy balance between encouragement and constructive criticism—especially as the young artist gets older?

Daniel Ellis:
Well, especially as the young artist gets older is the real part of this question. And what people need to understand is that creativity requires self-confidence and permission to make mistakes. They have to develop that personal point of view, and remember the “tell me about it” part. As an enthusiastic student gets into his high school years, you still want to ask that question, but they’re going to be telling you about different problems they&rsuqo;re trying to solve in a particular drawing, or why a particular subject matter is appealing to them.

They’re going to have to learn to critique themselves. And the best way is to take a look at a body of their drawings and try to discern from looking at their drawings where their interests really lie, or what was most successful, what was least successful. And by examining their own work they can find what the next step is to take if they’re allowed to follow their own interests in that way.

Mike:
Well, thanks, Dan, for bringing these thoughts to our listeners today! And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.