Draw on your LEARNING AT HOME imagination

EVERY child can draw. Children don’t self-analyse, they just create, with purity and flow. This is why children’s art is so beautiful. Children’s line work is not restricted, their colour choices inspired, their subject matter and interpretation charming beyond measure. Their style choices, in particular, would give the famous artist Pablo Picasso a run for his money.

Drawing has immeasurable benefits for kids. On a practical level, it develops fine motor skills, improves hand/eye co-ordination, concentration, confidence, patience, and writing and observation skills. It can help younger kids become school-ready.

Visual literacy is an important skill that’s deeply perfected when kids draw. It encourages critical thinking, visual analysis, logical thought processes and problem-solving.

And probably the most benefit is that it gives kids pure enjoyment as they challenge their imaginations, develop a love of art and explore colour and texture. Children can relate to this. It uplifts and inspires them.

And very best of all — children who draw are able to boost their emotional intelligence and become more expressive.

Every child learns differently, and some children can seek comfort, understanding and happiness by communicating through art.

Kids should be encouraged to try a variety of arts — try chalk, pastels, watercolours and metallic pens. Use paper of various colours, and for mixed-media creations supply glitter, glue and scissors for snipping and collaging.

Then get busy prepping space on the fridge for these superb works of art.

* Author and illustrator Tania McCartney is the founder of Kids’ Book Review and The Happy Book podcast. She is dedicated to creating uplifting and inspiring works for children. Visit her website at www.taniamccartney.com Evie & Pog Party Perfect by Tania McCartney, published by HarperCollins Australia, is out now from all good bookshops and online.