Operation Shoebox needs help - Each year we approach charities in Cape Town and ask them to submit lists of the children in their care. We then find sponsors to 'adopt' each child and make up a shoebox filled with Christmas goodies for them.
The importance of art...can it help ADHD children?
What are the benefits of art?
I have always been very interested in art and drawing, and when I had my little boy for some reason he was just not interested in art at all - that's all changed but more on that later!
Art is an incredibly powerful tool for children and has heaps of benefits, here are some:
It develops their fine motor skills as well as muscle tone in the upper body;
They can express themselves creatively and there is loads of research that shows the art helps stimulate language - it is a type of language which helps them to talk about their world;
Art helps children to discover and learn - think about colours, shapes, textures and cognitive thinking to name a few;
Art is a great emotional release;
The physical movement of art can be very calming.
There has also been a lot of research into the other benefits of art...
Early exposure to visual art, music or drama stimulates brain activity;
Art helps children understand other subjects more easily;
It encourages inventiveness, helps with development of self-esteem, self-discipline, co-operation and self motivation;
It helps them to creatively problem solve.
Art and ADHD
Very often children who are active minded, for example an ADD or ADHD child, struggle to concentrate or sit still for drawing, but there are ways to encourage art.
Art can help a child to concentrate, slow down and stabilise. As we've mentioned earlier it is a good emotional outlet and helps with stabilising moods and building self-esteem. My little boy is active minded and did not like art for the first 5 years of his life...and I didn't know how to encourage it. What often happens is once they realise they can draw, and feel proud of themselves, they are off like rockets. It was amazing to see ny little boy going from zero to hero...he is now so proud of his art that he carries his art books everywhere with him. With these active little minds they really need a non-competitive area of mastery, and art is often the answer. Art is used for so many therapies and has a very calming effect.
Tips to encourage your little artist...
If your children are not interested in art, here are a few tips to encourage them to get drawing!
First start small and simple and make sure you work with your child;
You might find that initially, especially if they are quite active, that they are disinterested, restless and questioning all the time. If this is the case make sure you give lots of attention and sit with them while they are drawing;
Find what interests your child - often children have particular interests...start with a particular interest and let them colour in first and then you can move to drawing. For example boys might love pirates or cars and girls might like Barbie! Work with what you know;
Children love to work with new things...so if you have new materials all the time this will often spark a creative interest. I use egg boxes, cereal boxes, lids of wipes, leaves, foil...anything that I can lay my hands on;
You can let them stand, lie on the floor or kneel if they struggle to sit still and make sure they can have breaks if they need to;
Compliment, compliment, compliment and build pride - praise is fantastic for a child's self-esteem. Tell them how great the drawing is and if they are old enough get them to talk about it with you. Try not to ask what it is as this can sometimes leave them feeling like they haven't accomplished anything.
If your child has just done a pencil drawing, try and encourage them to add extras for example colours.
Build pride in their work - once it is completed, hang it up somewhere and make a fuss about the art. This will encourage them to do it more.
NEVER throw their art away - if you do this, you can be guaranteed that they won't want to do it again!
Good luck!
I found a video on E-How regarding art and ADHD children...I hope you find it interesting!
