Children are naturally curious. From the minute they gain control of their limbs, they work to put themselves out into the world to see how it all works. They explore, observe and imitate, trying to figure out how things operate and how to control themselves and their environments. This unrestricted exploration helps children form connections in their brain, it helps them learn—and it’s also fun.

Art is a natural activity to support this free play in children. The freedom to manipulate different materials in an organic and unstructured way allows for exploration and experimentation. These artistic endeavors and self-directed explorations are not only fun, but educational as well. Art allows youth to practice a wide range of skills that are useful not only for life, but also for learning.

There are many ways to teach art, but it’s generally best to start with fun, easy projects. When teaching children, assign projects with easy, familiar subjects or open-ended art challenges. Demonstrate the projects yourself to inspire and engage students. For high school art classes, create an engaging balance of instruction, hands-on projects, and art history. When teaching art workshops for adults, focus on creating a relaxed, social environment and provide straightforward instructions to follow, resulting in a finished product to take home. For all ages, give lots of affirmation and encouragement to create a positive, creative environment.

Art Competition photos/student name and class – Lachit Divas