I continue to be amazed at the number of students and adults who say to me, "I'm just not creative."  I think the reason for this is that our society does little to reward or encourage creativity, especially at young ages.  We encourage following directions and conformity, and seem to offer children few opportunities to make their own choices.  We don't do enough activities with our children that force them to make their own decisions.  Some children (and yes, I have experienced this) cannot even do something as simple as choosing which color to use in a drawing or painting!

What can you do?

Purchasing a pad of paper or a sketchbook is no more difficult than buying a coloring book or

paint-by-number pad. Once supplied with crayons drawing pencils or colored pencils, these materials become ancanvas for a child. Although a bit messier than dry media, painting is very exciting for children too.  This might be less stressful for you (and your child!) if you do a bit of pre-planning before telling them about it. Decide on an appropriate place for the activity, inside or outside, and cover the floor or table with newspaperor plastic to catch drips.  If you don't have an easel, use a table or even the floor.

You may want to carefully tape the paper (use large sheets - large rolls of inexpensive newsprint are often available from newspaper offices) down to the surface so that the child does not become frustrated with the paper sliding around.  Watercolor paints can be difficult to control and therefore frustrating for young children, so you may want to purchase some tempera paint.  An entire palette of colors is not necessary.  Red, yellow and blue will be adequate along with a large somewhat stiff bristled brush.  Squeeze the paint onto a paper plate for use as a palette.  You may want to start with just one color.  If this is your choice, keep the other colors tucked away. You can gradually bring them out.  After the painting activity, read the book Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh.

Whether drawing or painting, some children will eagerly begin filling the pages without any prompting.  For those who are a bit more timid, give them some starters such as, "my idea of a fantasy playground is.....my favorite summer activity is.....this is my family.....this is what I like to do when it is raining.''  In addition, some children might like to work by observation (looking at the object/person/animal being drawn).  This is another great way for children to work and will increase their observational skills.  I try to discourage children from drawing characters from popular culture such as Pokemon, Rugrats, Pooh, etc.  I gently try to explain that while these things are not necessarily bad, another artist has already created them. I try to encourage the children to create their own drawing, character, et cetera, rather than copying what someone else has already made.

If getting away from coloring books seems difficult for you, try one of the "Anti Coloring Books" by Susan Striker .  The pages are mostly blank with "idea starters" at the bottom of each page.  They are available at any large bookseller as well as online.  If your child currently has lots of coloring books and paint-by-numbers it might be a good idea to gradually remove them while replacing them with the items mentioned above.  Before long your child probably will not even miss them.  If they do ask for the traditional coloring books, get them out.  But do put them away when they are finished.

In general, avoid art projects that are step-by-step with one outcome.  This is merely copy work and we know that children are already masters at that!