Babies can make art too.

Art class with Lexi is always an adventure. Each week we walk to the our local park district for arts and crafts. Even though I am capable of doing these projects at home, it is always nice to go to a class and let a teacher (that is not me) take care of all the details! I am with Lexi the entire time, but she has so much fun being in a room full of other kids who are all being creative together (including Lyla, who is always smudged with paint by the end of it!) with a teacher who does an excellent job interacting with each one of them.

The first time I went to this class, I noticed that the other moms and caregivers kept snapping at the kids for doing it "wrong." Painting in the wrong area of the canvas, gluing the eye ball off center, not covering the entire area with paint like you are "supposed" to do. Then the ladies would proceed to do the piece for their child, so that it would be done "right." Now, I don't think I am a snob, and I will be the first one to admit that I am not the perfect parent, but really? And art class for two-year-old kids should be just that - art class for two-year-old kids. NOT art that mom created because she pushed the child aside in her effort to do it "right." 

I went to school to be an art teacher. I would be teaching art right now if I hadn't made the choice to stay home to raise my girls. And this rant is not unfounded. 

To the Moms, back off! Let your kids create! It is so important for them to feel confidence and freedom in their creative expression and for them to be given heaps of praise for their beautiful work. Because it IS beautiful. Did they try hard? Did they have fun? Is what they created developmentally appropriate for their age? Then, Moms, it is BEAUTIFUL. There are other classes that you can take if you are dying to do some arts and crafts yourself. But seriously, let your kids be kids. And let them create.

When I first began giving Lexi materials to make art, back when she was old enough to not eat the crayon, but draw with it instead, I resolved to always let her be the one to create. 

Being an artist myself, the idea of giving a very small child a canvas and then an entire list of rules of what you can and can't do with it seems rather limiting and also next to impossible (unless, of course, you push the child aside and just do it yourself...which seems to be the common parenting trend here). I don't want my kids to think negatively when it comes to creating. And if I am constantly saying "NO" and limiting their creating process, there is not going to be a very positive association with making art. 

I DO believe that part of coaching the creative process is giving some boundaries as well. But boundaries and parameters that teach skills, new processes, and are age appropriate for the child's development. I am strict in my training when it comes to obedience and the heart issues. I am not so strict when it comes to creating (unless it involves painting or drawing on the walls, table, clothes, or baby sister - that is a strict no-no). 

If Lexi wants to finger paint instead of using the brush, so be it! If she wants to glue things to the canvas that "don't belong" there, then go for it! It is her creation, and she is proud to call it her own!

Here is the final piece, with some finishing details added by the teacher (tree outline, leaf outline, and turkey legs). Except for a teensy-weensy bit of help from me (like with the glue and the order of the letters in her name), Lexi made this piece by herself. And I LOVE that it isn't perfect. I like it better this way. :) And not to be smug (ok, maybe it's a little smug), but the other moms in the class liked it a whole lot too. I received more than a few comments about how great it was that I didn't do the piece for her, and how in ten years this piece will truly be a treasure.

Art never has to be perfect to be beautiful. 

And isn't that the whole point of the creative process anyway?