On Kids Learning to Draw

A few years ago, my family and I were at a buffet restaurant in Sanya. It wasn’t upscale, but they had a girl playing the piano in the center. Despite the music filling the air, the handful of diners there were too busy enjoying their food to really appreciate it.

Seeing this, I felt a bit sad and couldn’t help but wonder: How much can the pianist make? Does she find joy in her music? Or is she just playing to make a living? It makes me think deeper: What’s the value of art? Is music just something to fill the dining atmosphere, and are paintings just decor for bare walls in restrooms?

Considering kids learning to draw.

I started learning sketching and color in middle school. Did foundational training in high school and the first two years of college. I’ve been in design work related to art ever since. So I guess I have some background to talk about this.

Kids’ time is precious. Any extra training takes away from their already limited time for play, entertainment, and rest due to heavy schoolwork. Kids need enough free time and space to grow. Before signing them up for an art class, we need to ponder one question: Why should kids learn to draw?

Starting with the most pragmatic. What’s the career outlook for drawing?

In high school and college, among the 120 classmates I had, fewer than 20 are still in art-related jobs (artists, designers, art teachers, etc.). Of those, I estimate only 2-3 make a living directly from drawing. And from a worldly view, these artist friends aren’t doing too well financially.

From my years of observation and conversations with friends at work, what I’ve experienced isn’t an isolated case. The truth is, most art graduates don’t end up in art-related jobs (not that it’s necessarily a bad thing), and most in art jobs earn middle to below-average wages. My point is, basing a kid’s art lessons on career prospects involves big uncertainties. Not many can make a living, much less a good one, through art.

Since few can make a living from drawing, what’s the point of it? Forgive me for using such blunt, crude words like “what’s the use.” But if we’re being utilitarian, drawing isn’t very “useful.” However, if parents adjust their mindset and view it differently, drawing does have “some uses.” Here are three points.

Drawing as a way for kids to express themselves

Have you noticed that almost all kids start drawing before they even speak? They don’t just draw on paper but also on any material their little bodies can reach: walls, tables, clothes, their skin, you name it.

Every child is a born artist. Language needs to be taught, but drawing is almost innate. Kids not only learn on their own but also do it with mega confidence. When you hand them a pen and paper, no child says, “I can’t draw.” They take the tools, and without thinking, boldly and confidently sketch, scribble, and draw out shapes and scenes.

From 1-2 years old scribbles to more identifiable drawings at 4-5, to 7-8 year olds telling stories, they’re expressing themselves through drawing at different stages.

In early childhood, drawings express their understanding of the Creator’s world: plants, animals, everyday things, tools, vehicles, people. As they grow older, drawing unleashes their imaginative interests and thoughts. Deep thinkers might even express emotions or likes and dislikes through drawing.

Sadly, many parents overlook this form of expression, thinking kids are just scribbling. But if you observe, you’ll see the joy kids get from expressing through drawing.

Drawing develops aesthetic taste and imagination

Aesthetics is a subjective, intangible thing. Cultivating it is a slow, long-term process.

Aesthetics might not seem vital to some—“seems it can’t be turned into food.” But actually, having a good aesthetic sense makes one appreciated and accepted in interactions with others. Beyond that, aesthetics enriches one inwardly. When you have aesthetic abilities, you enjoy “appreciating, tasting, experiencing,” whether in clothes, items, or art and music.

Drawing, in aesthetic development, is a comprehensive creative activity. It engages the mind, stimulates imagination, and involves observation, hands-on practice, expression, and listening.

A critical part of drawing: observation. Kids observe the Creator’s world with their eyes—trees, sky, land, ocean, animals, people. They experience the beauty in shapes and colors and understand relationships between things: size, contrast, warmth, etc.

Besides enhancing aesthetics, drawing nurtures imagination. Every painting is a unique creation, allowing kids to unlock and free their rich, limitless imaginations. Creativity is almost synonymous with imagination. A life without creativity is so dull.

Drawing cultivates visual thinking

Not everyone will become an artist or make a living from drawing. But in life, we often use some drawing skills, like using sketches for communication and expression.

In some life conversations, even when the language is precise, participants may still find it abstract, leading to different understandings. In these moments, if you have some visual thinking and hands-on skills, you can quickly convert words into specific images through sketches.

For example, you can use flowcharts to explain a complex work plan visually. You can provide a renovation company with simple home layout ideas through floor plans. Even a little shading can convey style preferences and tastes.

In essence, like language, music, and dance, drawing is a way to express oneself, connect with others, and communicate with the world. Drawing is also a personal activity, giving you an independent world to observe, feel, and express.

Finally, let’s discuss a few concerns parents often have:

Does my kid have a knack for drawing?

First off, this question is strange.

I’ve noticed if kids’ parents have art backgrounds, everyone (including the kids’ parents) will praise the kids, saying “this child is really talented in drawing.”

Yet, other kids may show a love and talent for drawing, but parents in business or STEM fields will be the first to question, “Does my kid truly have drawing talent?”

It seems this doubt suggests drawing ability is inherited from parents.

That’s not the case. As mentioned, every kid is a confident young artist. No child claims they can’t draw; they just naturally doodle their imagination without thinking.

No need to doubt kids’ drawing potential. Every child is a born artist.

How to appreciate kids’ drawings?

This is a puzzling issue for almost all parents.

Whether parents want to praise and encourage their kids’ enthusiasm for drawing or they’re asked by their kids how the drawing is, like “Mom, Dad, how’s my drawing?"—most parents don’t know how to appreciate and evaluate them.

Especially before kids turn six, drawings are abstract and chaotic, leaving no reference for parents to appreciate or understand. So parents genuinely gloss over with praises: “You drew wonderfully, keep it up, champ.”

Recently, I read a book called Developing Children Starting With Drawing by Akemi Torii, a famous Japanese educator, and artist. In it, Torii suggests appreciating kids’ drawings by listening.

How does one appreciate with ears?

It’s simple: ask questions about the drawing and listen to the child express and explain. Like: Sweetie, what did you draw here? Oh, why did you draw this part like that? And so on. Naturally, sprinkle in some encouraging words as they talk. But mostly, listen to what they say.

As with all art, appreciation completes an artist’s work. Likewise, Torii reminds parents that for kids, creative ideas expressed verbally complete their artwork. Thus, Torii encourages parents to interact with their kids’ drawings by “listening.”

I only recently read this book. Coincidentally and luckily, as my two kids grew, I also unintentionally “listened” to appreciate their drawings. After they finished a piece, I’d ask them to describe what they drew or would interact through Q&A. I often recorded such interactions with videos. Looking back, it’s really interesting and valuable.

Should I send them to art classes?

Firstly, when your child shows an interest in drawing, I don’t think you should immediately enroll them in an art class. Know that most art classes are like production lines, with standard, systematic teaching. Sometimes teachers even touch up kids’ drawings, turning them from rough to splendid, just to satisfy parents.

When to send them to art class? I can’t provide a perfect answer. For our two kids, my thought is not to stifle their enthusiasm, let them explore freely, grow naturally. If one day they say, “Dad, I want to learn art,” I think that’s a signal for professional training.

How to create an art-friendly environment for kids?

First, provide basic drawing materials. Every home likely has pencils, crayons, watercolor pens, but they often overlook “paper.” Most kids draw on notebooks or loose paper.

I strongly suggest parents buy sketchbooks or drawing books. They’re not expensive, about 100-200 Yuan a year. The benefit of dedicated drawing books is the sense of ritual (kids feel support and value), and they preserve artworks well, creating thick stacks over time (loose papers make organizing chaotic).

A friendly reminder: don’t worry about paper (really, money) too much, or focus overly on what kids draw. Sometimes, a sweep of the brush or “random scribbles” seems “wasted” clean white paper, seemingly “money down the drain.”

Second, create opportunities for kids to think through drawing and images. For example: What birthday gift do you want? Draw it. How do you want to spend Christmas this year? Draw that.

Third, listen to kids describe their artwork. As mentioned, a key way to appreciate kids’ art is “asking, then listening.” Like “Sweetie, what’s the story in your drawing?” or “This looks intriguing, can you tell us what’s happening?” and so on.