Fostering creativity in your children not only helps entertain them and provides priceless family bonding time, but also has cognitive and emotional benefits they carry through school and on into adulthood. Here, Little Rock Family teams up with a couple of local artists and moms for advice on helping parents help their kiddos tap into their artsy sides.

Little Rock Christian Academy’s Elementary Art Teacher, Lisa Phillips set down her paint brush for a moment to answer a few questions.

LRF: What were your creative influences and inspirations as a child?

Lisa Phillips: My mom is very creative and both of my parents encouraged me to pursue my love for art from a very early age. I really struggled academically from kindergarten on, so art and horses were where I could thrive and find some confidence. My dad also had a learning disability so he knew how important it was to find your gift and passion. Having a learning disability created a very strong work ethic in us. He graduated number 1 in his law school; and I worked harder to get by in my main stream classes so I could pursue a major in art. I love teaching art because of how it helped me overcome those struggles. I see myself in so many of the students I teach. Also young children are so very creative and it never gets old seeing how this can come to life in their work!

What is your advice for parents who say “I’m not crafty or artsy?”

I would tell them the same thing I tell my students. We are all created in the image of God. And guess what? He is the ultimate Creator so it’s in there.

The older we get, the more self-conscious we become about our art work. Even students in 3rd and 4th grade start to become afraid of messing up or making a mistake. I tell them to just take a risk and try! There are no mistakes in art and sometimes what we think are mistakes, turn out to be our best masterpieces.

What are early ways to foster creativity with kids?

When my kids were young I almost always had some art project going on and they got to do their own next to me. They were exposed to pottery, painting, drawing, stringing beads, and anything I was doing from as early as they could hold a pencil. I also let them make mud pies in the yard and play outside as much as possible. There are so many wonderful things you can find to do on these cold winter days just walking the aisles at Hobby Lobby. Or call the Arkansas Arts Center and let them take some classes. I also know of several art teachers that will teach small groups of children or private lessons. Just start young, don’t worry about making a mess or the end result of the art pieces they are doing. Let them explore and enjoy the process. Have them help you clean up and set up as well. Always display their work!

What supplies should parents keep on hand?

I would keep Play-Doh, colored pencils, crayons, washable paints and markers, watercolor and oil pastels when they get around kindergarten. I love good tempera paint on craft paper. It is worth it to get watercolor paper in bulk for painting projects. My kids also had fun mixing food colors in clear glasses to discover how to create new colors. Make sure to display their art no matter what it looks like!

What are some things for parents to keep in mind when working with youngsters creatively?

Try not to micromanage too much other than teaching them how to hold the utensils, wash and dry brushes and such. Also teach them the difference between warm and cool colors and have them only mix “like colors” at first so things don’t get too muddy looking. With drawing you can start teaching them basic shapes and lines. Also cutting out simple shapes will really help with hand-eye coordination. Have fun with art and let them explore.

What are some safety guidelines or other things you think parents should keep in mind?

Just make sure the materials they are using are not toxic and keep an eye on them. One of my three could not be trusted with markers if I left the room. He would get a little too creative on the furniture or walls. If it is washable, it is probably safe.

What are some things you’ve actually done with your children?

At LRCA I try to expose my students to a lot of different medias. Pottery, watercolor, oil pastel, wire sculpture, collage, charcoal, tempera painting, copper foiling, block prints, etc. The overall favorite here at school is pottery. I use low fire white clay that is already “bubble free.” Students learn how to hand build, slip and score so they can attach pieces. After their masterpieces are fired they are finished off with bright colored wax (crayons) and topped with Mod-Podge that is stained with black tempera. This brings out the texture and adds shine and protection.

Creative Motivations

The next time you’re trying to inspire creativity at home, take this advice from local artist Delita Martin (this month’s cover mom), who also happens to be a former pre-school teacher and educator. She says, “I had the encouragement to nurture the impossible and it made all the difference in my life!” 

  • Pay attention to your children and be open to what they’re interested in.
  • Play and experiment with what they want to do.
  • Nurture the idea of the impossible and fantastic and developing it into reality and the realistic.
  • Nurture who they want to be.
  • Support your child to experiment artistically. Exploration and experience are priceless.