Children are naturally creative, and those who participate in arts activities most days tend to have significantly higher levels of self-esteem than children who don’t. This is likely because art lets kids set and achieve goals, express themselves emotionally, and celebrate their individuality, which all contributes to a sense of accomplishment and greater confidence, research published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences reveals. So, if you want to inspire your children to develop their artistic skills, the good news is you don’t need expensive classes or supplies. Simply carve out space at home and in the garden where they can experiment with different materials and techniques. By displaying their creations and giving encouragement, you can help your children hone their art skills and grow in confidence and creativity.
Create an “Art Corner”
Create a dedicated art corner in your home, so your child can create freely whenever the mood strikes. This doesn’t need to be a huge area: just a decent-sized table and a good variety of art supplies are all you need to get started. When you keep everything out and easy to grab, your child will be more likely to create when they feel like it without having to wait for a parent to get out supplies. This helps them develop decision-making skills as they get to choose what materials and mediums to work with, which, in turn, helps them become a more confident artist.
A dedicated art corner is especially beneficial for kids who feel self-conscious about their artistic abilities. Having a space they can call their own, where they can create without being watched, can be a huge help. It gives them the freedom to try new things and experiment without any pressure.
Display Your Child’s Artwork And Give Specific Praise
Displaying their art can inspire your kids to keep making more as it shows you’re proud of them and care about their creativity. So, go ahead and fill up their art corner and other spaces with their masterpieces. Sure, you probably won’t have room to display every piece your child makes, but try to show off as much as you can to celebrate their skills and creativity.
You can also add a fancy touch by framing some of their works. Frames with built-in mounts create a nice space around the pieces, which helps colors and details stand out, and encourages kids to notice what areas they did a good job on.
In the same vein, praise also motivates children to keep creating, but it’s not just about doling out compliments. Saying things like “you’re really talented at art” or “you’re so creative” may sound nice and encouraging, but they’re too vague to truly be helpful. What kids really need is specific feedback that helps boost their skills and confidence. For instance, you could say “you really paid attention to the details here” or “your shading technique is really improving”. This approach specifically highlights what your child is doing well and encourages them to keep at it.
Take Art Outdoors
When the sun’s out, the garden’s a great place for kids to work on their art projects. Flowers, leaves, stones, and trees are all great inspiration, and the natural world as a whole is full of new colors, shapes, and textures to discover and explore. Exposure to all this can really help them bring a new level of detail to their art.
One of the best things about doing art outside is the freedom to spread out. You can lay big sheets of paper down on the patio or garden table, so your children have the room they need to work on bigger projects that use acrylic or tempera paints, for instance. As they work on these larger pieces, they can have fun trying out big, sweeping brush strokes they don’t usually get to do indoors. This helps children get better at controlling their movements, which, in turn, makes it easier for them to draw or paint with confidence.
Why This Matters
Supporting creativity at home isn’t just about making art—it’s about building confidence, emotional awareness, and problem-solving skills. These same strengths help children thrive in school, relationships, and family life.
At OnlineParentingPrograms.com, we believe every parent can nurture resilience and growth in their children. Just as art provides a pathway to confidence, our Parenting Skills classes give parents practical tools to support healthy development, positive behavior, and strong family connections.
