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Creative Childhood: Drawing With Dad

developing creativity in early childhood

I think one of the best ways to encourage children to be creative is for parents to be creative alongside them! Every once in a while, Mike sits down with Emma and Johnny for a “drawing lesson”, which consists of brainstorming things they want to draw – and drawing them! It’s not about technique, or producing a particular image – it’s bonding over creative time spent together.

Here are Mike’s drawings from a recent session:

Mike's drawings

Emma’s take on the same set of objects:

2012_03_04_3833

And Johnny’s:

2012_03_04_3830

You can tell that they stem from the same ideas, and that the kids are influenced by what and how Mike draws. However, each picture has its own unique flavor – both in style and in content. I look forward to seeing what Lily adds to the mix, as she draws more and more!

Do you enjoy bonding over creative projects with your kids?

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

13 thoughts on “Creative Childhood: Drawing With Dad”

  1. Mike has talent! We enjoy drawing together once in a while, but we haven’t done it for a long time now. So much to do, so little time…

  2. Elisa | blissfulE

    Beautiful scenes, all of them!

    I’ve hesitated to draw with my kids because of my own lack of artistic skill. I don’t want them to think what I’m doing is “right” or the only way to draw something. But seeing this post makes me think we should try it and see what comes. I like the idea of brainstorming and each person attempting each item.

    1. We have really enjoyed this game! Mike is more of an artist than I am, but the kids seem to enjoy drawing with me every bit as much :)

  3. So cool to see their unique styles over the same drawing. I do love doing creative projects with my kids. I love them being able to express themselves!

  4. I agree!
    I love to teach them…and they love to learn…especially when I am doing it with them!
    I love to do art with them…and they love it too..especially when I am doing it with them!
    My husband…who can not draw…will sit and draw with the kids…and they just eat it up!
    Your a great mom!

  5. What a great idea, I look forward to when my son is old enough for these types of activities. Although we do have a blast coloring together.

  6. I totally enjoy bonding over creative projects. This is such a simple good idea (as most of your ideas are). I am doing this today, we haven’t drawn in a while and it would be fun to all try and draw the same scene and then compare.

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