Why It’s Important to Give Children Time in Creativity

“Why does he draw so poorly? You’re an artist, after all!”

That’s a question I heard more than once when my son was little. People were surprised — other children were already drawing so well, and he seemed to be falling behind. The real question was always: why, as an artist, am I not teaching him better?

My answer was simple: I give him time.

Patience instead of control

Honestly, it wasn’t easy to hold back. I wanted to show, explain, and correct every stroke. But I knew that doing things forhim wouldn’t teach him to see and feel on his own. So I simply left materials within his reach — and waited until he was ready to learn more.

And that moment did come.He began asking, “How can I make it better? Why isn’t it working? What should I do?”That’s when I stepped in — to guide, support, and explain. Step by step, his drawings improved. Today, I proudly look at his work and see his own taste, curiosity, and vision.

The lesson I learned

This experience taught me something important: don’t set unrealistic expectations for your child — give them time and believe in their abilities. Everyone develops at their own pace. When we allow children to follow their own path, the results appear naturally.

Why art matters for children Develops fine motor skills, attention, and creative thinking. Allows children to express emotions and imagination. Builds confidence as they see their own progress. Tips for parents Praise and support even the simplest works. Give freedom to experiment. Be present when your child asks questions.

Results come not from pressure but from encouragement. That’s when art becomes not just drawings or crafts, but a path to confidence and joy. How we work with children in art classes In our studio, every class has a theme and a plan, which you can explore on our website. We introduce children to new materials and techniques, showing how to use them while working on the assigned topic. But art is always more than just a task. When a child’s own idea appears

Often during class, a child begins to imagine, combine ideas, or come up with something entirely their own. That’s the moment their original idea is born — sometimes close to the theme, sometimes completely new. And that’s when I step in to support them and catch their creative wave.

Why this is important Because that’s when the child is most engaged. They’re not just following instructions — they’re creating something that belongs to them. And that’s when my guidance becomes truly valuable. The child learns to think independently. Develops initiative and self-confidence. Gains knowledge exactly when curiosity sparks.

Structure + Freedom

Copying a sample can look neat — but if a child only repeats instructions without personal interest, real learning hasn’t happened. In our classes, we balance structure and freedom:There’s a plan and a theme, but always room for each child’s ideas.This balance helps them grow in both skill and creativity.

Art is not only about beautiful results, but about the journey — where children learn to see, feel, and think in their own way.Mastery develops day by day, step by step.The most important thing is not to lose that spark of creativity — the unique and precious gift every child carries within.

Who knows — perhaps your child will one day remind us how to see the world anew, through the language of art. Iryna Bolgaryna (@4art.family)